Cases of seasonal viruses in Donegal this winter are more than two-and-a-half times the national rate.
Leading medical newspaper, The Irish Medical Times, carried out an analysis of virus number of viruses across the country.
And it showed that Donegal has already recorded 1,753 cases of the respiratory illnesses this winter, or 1,049 cases per 100,000 population.
Between September 29 and January 6, a total of 20,330 cases of Covid-19, influenza and RSV were recorded in Ireland, representing a national case rate of 394 per 100,000.
After Donegal, Westmeath has had the highest rate of viral infection, with 775 cases per 100,000 people. Sligo saw 758 cases per 100,000, while Leitrim, Cavan and Waterford all recorded rates above 500 per 100,000.
In contrast, Longford has the lowest combined virus case rate. The midlands county has seen just 97 cases of respiratory illnesses during this period, which, given its small population, equates to 207 cases per 100,000 people.
This was followed closely by Meath (212 cases per 100,000), while Wicklow, Laois and Kildare all recorded fewer than 300 cases per 100,000.
In terms of individual illnesses, Donegal has been significantly hit by the current flu season, with 402 cases per 100,000 – more than twice the next highest rate of 194 per 100,000 seen in Westmeath.
Donegal also had the highest RSV case numbers, at 375 diagnoses per 100,000. Westmeath was just behind this at 368 per 100,000.
