Extensive stocks of vaccine are available to protect those in at-risk groups against H1N1 swine flu. Last year in Northern Ireland, GPs vaccinated 350,000 people in 'at-risk' groups against flu - the largest number of people ever.

The Public Health Agency has confirmed that a 10 month old baby boy from Northern Ireland has died in intensive care from swine flu. The baby had an underlying medical condition. The family has asked for privacy and for the media not to approach them for further information. Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health said: "This is a very sad and distressing time for the family affected and I would like to offer them my sincere condolences."

The Public Health Agency has confirmed that a two year old boy with swine flu has died in intensive care. The family has asked for no further details to be released and for the media to respect their privacy at this very sad time. The child was a resident of the Republic of Ireland and was being treated here. The Public Health Agency has therefore informed the responsible health authorities in the Republic of Ireland. The Public Health Agency would like to extend its sympathy to the family of this child.

The Public Health Agency (PHA), Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) hosted a briefing today to outline the current position in respect of flu and seasonal winter pressures. (Presentation available here and attached at the bottom of this page.)

The Public Health Agency has confirmed that the current pattern of swine flu in Northern Ireland is no different to that in the rest of the UK.

The PHA is today publishing data on laboratory-confirmed influenza associated deaths due to the level of public interest in the current situation regarding flu. “It should be noted that these will not represent all influenza-related deaths,” said Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health. “A more reliable indicator of the impact of flu is the mortality data for respiratory infections. That is why we have published those each week in our flu bulletin. “The data shows that respiratory infections remain within the normal range that we would expect to see for this time of year.

Latest figures from the Public Health Agency show that flu cases have increased again this week but the level of increase is less than that seen in previous weeks. GP consultation rates for influenza like illness in primary care have increased by 45% compared with 104% in the previous week. The latest influenza indicators reported between 25–31 December 2010 are:

Adult smokers aged between 20-49 are the primary focus of a major new public health information campaign to be launched by the Public Health Agency (PHA) on Wednesday 5 January. The new campaign has been developed to motivate and encourage smokers to make a quit attempt by firstly focusing on why smokers should quit and secondly offering a range of options on how to quit.

The Public Health Agency has issued the following advice to schools, nurseries, playgroups, and child minders in relation to keeping healthy when mains water is unavailable or is low. How can we maintain hygiene in schools, nurseries, playgroups, and child minders in the event of an interruption to the water supply? • A school, nursery, playgroup, or child minder should not open in the absence of hot and cold running water.