A European monitoring body said the virus was appearing “three to four weeks earlier” than in recent flu seasons. Photograph: Getty ImagesThere have been six flu deaths in Ireland this winter season so far, as the European infectious diseases watchdog warned that the virus has arrived “much earlier” this year. The rise comes as a European monitoring body said the virus was appearing “three to four weeks earlier” than in recent flu seasons. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which primarily affects young children, is increasing but also remains at low levels. Photograph: Jean-Francois Monie/Getty Images[ Dr Muiris Houston: An early and potentially severe flu season is here.

Source: The Irish Times November 20, 2025 20:32 UTC