A campaign on radio and television aims to prevent the spread of human swine flu.
A new Health Service Executive (HSE) campaign aims to inform members of the public how the flu virus is spread and to halt it being circulated.
To prevent the spread of flu when you cough or sneeze, catch it in a clean tissue, bin it and kill it by washing your hands as soon as you can.
The campaign providing information about the H1N1 virus will run until the end of October in two phases. The first phase is to help parents prepare for the new school year. The second phase will provide general information on the pandemic that has led to the death of almost 1,800 people worldwide.
Paul Connors, Director of Communications at the HSE, says information will be provided through the Department of Education for teachers and parents.
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland confirmed today that a woman with an underlying health condition has died from swine flu. To date, two people in the Republic of Ireland have died from swine flu. Around 1,800 cases of the virus have been reported and four people are in intensive care.
The HSE expects to have a licensed vaccine by the end of September. The vaccine will be available to the entire population but priority will be given to healthcare staff, those from high-risk groups and children. It is expected that there will be a wave of infection in late autumn.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 August 2009. The reporter is Conor Mark Kavanagh.
