Doctors warn of severe form of swine flu
Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in healthy young people.
The World Health Organisation said this type of illness is requiring intensive care treatment and it is warning of increased pressure on hospitals in the winter.
The WHO said countries need to be prepared for an increased demand on intensive care units which could be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in severe cases.
To date 75 people have required hospital treatment after contracting swine flu here with six of them needing intensive care treatment.
The number of people presenting to doctors with swine flu symptoms here has stabilised to around 1,500 in the week up to last Sunday.
Two people with underlying health conditions have died from swine flu in Ireland.
