An analysis by the Health Service Executive of the 156 confirmed cases of swine flu here show that young children, older teenagers and young adults are most at risk of contracting the H1N1 virus.
According to the figures given to RTÉ, 11% of cases occurred in children aged 4 and under, 31% of cases occurred in 15 to 24 year olds and 21% occurred in 25 to 34 year olds.
Only 3% of cases occurred in people over 64.
Dr Pat Doorley, Head of Population Health at the HSE, said it appears older people may have more resistance to the virus due to exposure to other flu viruses in the past.
The figures come as supplies of the anti-viral drug - Tamiflu - for treating severe cases of swine flu, are being distributed to pharmacies around the country.
Meanwhile, Mass goers in two Catholic dioceses have been told not to shake hands as a sign of peace in an effort to prevent the spread of swine flu.
Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross has written to the priests in his diocese telling them not to ask Mass goers to offer peace using the traditional handshake.
Similar advice is been followed in the Diocese of Derry since May, when bishop Seamus Hegarty communicated his concerns about swine flu to priests there.
Martin Long of the Catholic Communications' Office said swine flu has been discussed by the all the country’s Catholic bishops, in order to prepare to deal the spread of the virus.
Students quarantined
Elsewhere, a group of 52 British students and their teachers have been quarantined by Chinese authorities after four students tested positive for swine flu, the British Council said Saturday.
The four students who tested positive for the H1N1 virus have been hospitalised while the group they were on a course with have been quarantined in a hotel in Beijing.
The students were not part of a British Council trip, but the organisation had been made ‘aware’ of the quarantine.
No other details were given.
The British Embassy said they were trying to make contact with the organisers of the trip.
