The HSE has confirmed a child has died from flu at a Dublin hospital.

The child is believed to have had the H1N1 strain of influenza which was responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak, and it is understood to have been from the west of Ireland but had been transferred to Dublin for treatment.

Nine flu deaths have been reported so far this season, and the ILI flu rates continue to rise and are expected to do so for one to two more weeks.

The HSE has encouraged those who have yet to get a vaccine to do so, as it covers the virus that is around at the moment.

It also recommends that if you get the symptoms of flu, you should stay at home look after yourself, and get in touch with a GP if you think your condition is getting worse.