Health authorities in both Ireland and the UK preparing for a busy winter as the worst flu outbreak in recent times is on the horizion – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Health authorities in both Ireland and the UK preparing for a busy winter as the worst flu outbreak in recent times is on the horizion




Health authorities in both Ireland and the UK are preparing for a hectic winter ahead as latest indications have suggested both countries could soon be hit with the worst flu epidemic in recent years.

The news of the probable flu outbreak comes as the British health service the NHS  has stepped up its efforts by creating a further 3,000 beds at the countries hospitals.

According to leading experts both Ireland and the UK could be at the centre of yet another epidemic in 2017.

The latest revelations come at a difficult time for the HSE as the health authority is under immense pressure with hospitals being overcrowded across the country.

Last year the health service seriously struggled to contain a similar outbreak which tragically claimed the lives of 57 vulnerable patients. Although the health authority did manage to create an extra 500 beds at hospitals across the country in 2016, this years outbreak could lead to a severe crisis at the nations hospitals with more beds being required to treat patients.

It is thought health care officials both here and in the UK are on high alert after recent reports have shown that the southern hemisphere had the worst flu outbreak in recent times with more than 98,000 cases reported in Australia alone.

 

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