Strict visiting restrictions have been put in place at Cork University Hospital (CUH), following an outbreak of flu there.

Patients can only see one named visitor per day and children will not be permitted at all. Visitors are also being asked to stick strictly to the visiting times of 2-4pm and 6.30-8.30pm.

"In the interest of our patients we would appeal to people not to visit CUH during this time. The flu virus is highly contagious and can seriously affect patients who are already sick in hospital. The outbreak sees emergency admissions and discharges from the hospital being affected as patients with flu cannot be admitted to a ward or discharged to other healthcare facilities," said Dr Mike Henry, a consultant respiratory physician at the hospital.

Recent figures from the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre showed that the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) rose from 20.5 per 100,000 of the population in the first week of February to 32.4 per 100,000 last week. This is considered above threshold levels, ‘which means that flu is actively circulating in the community'.

Twenty-six people were hospitalised with flu last week, bringing the total number of hospitalised cases reported during the 2013/2014 flu season to 82. Of this 82, 29 have required care in an ICU (intensive care unit) and five flu-related deaths have been reported.

Meanwhile, the Irish association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has warned that the spread of infection, including flu, 'is greatly increased in overcrowded environments', particularly if people are already unwell.

"Ireland's currently overcrowded EDs (Emergency Departments) are an example of this environment," the association said.

It insisted that the ‘ongoing failure to address ED overcrowding has left Ireland's ED patients very vulnerable to an outbreak of infectious disease'.

The HSE has reminded people that it is not too late to get vaccinated against flu

"The vaccine is available free of charge from GPs for all people in at risk groups, and from pharmacists for everyone aged 65 and over. An administration charge may apply to people who don't hold medical cards or GP visit cards," said Dr Joan O'Donnell, a public health specialist with the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

High risk groups include those aged 65 or older, people with chronic diseases that require regular medical follow up such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes, all pregnant women, healthcare workers and those who are morbidly obese, i.e. they have a body mass index greater than 40.

Dr O'Donnell noted that the symptoms of flu usually develop in just a few hours and can include a high temperature, sore throat, sore muscles, headache and a dry cough.

"This is different from the common cold, which tends to come on more gradually and usually includes a runny nose and a normal temperature. Anyone who gets flu should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol to ease symptoms," she said.

However, people in any of the high-risk categories who develop symptoms should contact their GP.

In the meantime, CUH is appealing to people to adhere to its new visiting restrictions. Anyone with queries about these restrictions should call the hospital in advance on (021) 4922 000.