HPSC: Threefold increase in flu deaths to 1,200

There were three times more deaths from flu last season compared with previous years. Indicative figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) suggest between 1,200 and 1,300 people died from flu last winter.

Dr Kevin Kelleher, director of the HPSC, said “last year was one of the worst with three times more deaths than normal”. He said the predominant flu type was a virus that “predominantly affected the elderly”.

Kelleher said people ...