With children up to 15 considered at risk from the so-called ‘Aussie flu’ this winter, a local councillor has said it is "vital" the warnings of doctors and medical experts "are heeded", and that "children showing symptoms of flu are kept home from school".
Labour city councillor, and the party's Galway West candidate at the next General Election, has said that with schools opening this week after the Christmas holidays, "there is understandably concern among parents that children may be at increased risk of catching the flu".
As a result, Cllr McNelis is calling for the departments of health and education to "immediately issue clear advice on the flu outbreak". He said this was especially important giving the recent warnings from Dr Adrienne Foran, the clinical director at Temple Street Children’s Hospital. that the current virus "has not yet peaked". Dr Foran has also raised concerns that a flu outbreak could occur when schools re-open.
“Parents should be advised on what to look out for," he said. "Parents need peace of mind that their children won’t be exposed to the risk of catching the flu from other children who may be showing signs of the virus. The health service is already stretched to capacity at the moment with several hundred people waiting for a hospital bed, and every effort must be made before schools re-open next week to prevent further pressure being piled on the system."
