Six people have died from flu since the start of the flu season.
New HSE figures show 150 patients have been hospitalised within the past week, with 27 needing treatment in intensive care units.
The HSE says H1N1 swine flu initially arrived in Ireland this season through pigs, but now it’s a normal flu virus going around the country.
27 of those hospitalised within the past week needed treatment in intensive care, including some children.
We are in place and waiting to hear from the HSE an update on the Swine Flu. It’s back with a bang. pic.twitter.com/nnBil9OVlw
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) January 10, 2019
This season’s flu is predominantly affecting people aged between 15 and 64, but health chiefs say more children will get the flu now they’ve returned to school.
The start of February is expected to be the peak for cases of influenza.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, the HSE’s Assistant National Director for Public Health, says many more people are expected to die from cases indirectly linked to flu.
He observed: "Flu causes other types of deaths not directly due to flu - things like pneumonia, heart disease and strokes... things of that nature.
"We can see that after about two or three months. That actually means there are probably around 300 or 400 deaths in-all related to the flu as a consequence each year."
The advice is to get the flu vaccine, and if you do catch the virus then stay at home, get plenty of rest and medical treatment if needed.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) echoed the call for all people in at-risk groups for the flu to get vaccinated if they have not done so already.
Pharmacist Ann Marie Horan explained: "While some people may feel that it is ‘too late’ in the flu season to avail of the vaccine, that is certainly not the case.
"The flu season in the Northern hemisphere typically runs until April, with January and February the most virulent time."
Pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are among the other at-risk groups.
Separately, the HSE yesterday issued a warning over an increase in meningococcal disease after three people died.
It is advising the public to be vigilant regarding meningococcal meningitis/septicaemia.
