Children’s Health Ireland Urges Families too Protect Against Flu as Emergency departments Face High Demand
children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is urging families to protect their children against flu as emergency departments continue to experience extremely high demand.
On Monday, CHI Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centres saw 650 children, with the majority presenting with flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, and breathing difficulties.
While flu can be managed at home in most cases, very young children and those with underlying conditions are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill, with some requiring hospitalisation, CHI said.
Dr Patrick Fitzpatrick, a consultant in Emergency Medicine who practices primarily in CHI at Temple Street, commented: “The rise in flu among children over the last week has been meaningful. The children’s flu vaccine is free, safe, and still available. It’s not too late to protect your family.”
The HSE provides a free flu vaccine for all children aged 2-17, delivered as a fast and painless nasal spray.
Families can access the vaccine through participating gps and pharmacies.
Ukraine War: Russia Launches New Offensive in Eastern Ukraine
After months of incremental gains and a period of relative stalemate,Russia has launched a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine,focusing its efforts on capturing the remaining territory in the Donetsk region. The intensified fighting signals a potential escalation in the nearly year-long conflict, raising concerns about further casualties and displacement.
Ukrainian military officials confirmed the surge in Russian attacks, particularly around the city of bakhmut, a key strategic point that has been the focus of intense fighting for weeks. Reports indicate that Russian forces, bolstered by mobilized reservists and Wagner mercenary groups, are attempting to encircle the city and cut off Ukrainian supply lines.
“The situation is extremely tense,” said Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, in a televised address. “The enemy is throwing all its forces into breaking through our defenses.”
While Ukrainian forces are putting up fierce resistance, analysts suggest that Russia’s numerical advantage and relentless artillery fire are gradually wearing down Ukrainian defenses. The Institute for the Study of war,a Washington-based think tank,assessed that Russian forces are making incremental gains,but at a significant cost.
The offensive comes as Ukraine continues to plead with Western allies for more advanced weaponry, including long-range missiles and fighter jets. While several countries have pledged further military aid, the delivery of these systems has been slow, leaving ukraine struggling to match Russia’s firepower.
The renewed offensive also coincides with the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. The timing suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to demonstrate progress on the battlefield and bolster domestic support for the war.
The fighting is having a devastating impact on civilians in the affected areas. Bakhmut, once a city of 70,000 people, is now largely deserted, with residents fleeing to safer regions. Infrastructure has been heavily damaged, and access to essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare is severely limited.
International organizations are warning of a looming humanitarian crisis, as the fighting disrupts aid deliveries and displaces more people. the United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected areas.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining the outcome of the russian offensive. Whether Ukraine can hold its ground and repel the attacks will depend on its ability to secure more Western aid and maintain the morale of its troops. The conflict remains a complex and unpredictable situation, with the potential for further escalation and a prolonged period of fighting.
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