Flu in Laois causes drastic visiting curbs at Portlaoise hospital

Flu spread in Laois has caused the HSE to impose tight restrictions on visiting to Portlaoise hospital.

In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the health authority says visiting restrictions were enforced at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise Friday, April 25.

It said the measure had to be taken to prevent the transmission of influenza that is circulating in the community. The HSE Dublin Midlands outlined the extent of the as yet indefinite visiting curb to the hospital on the town's Dublin Road.

"There is currently no visiting to any of the wards except for compassionate purposes. Any visiting for critical or compassionate purposes must be arranged in advance with the nurse in charge.

"These measures will be lifted as soon as possible when clinical circumstances allow.

"Please do not visit if you feel unwell or experience any respiratory symptoms," said the HSE.

The statement also made an appeal to the public to help restrict the spread of flu. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Portlaoise hospital on the Laois town's Dublin Road.

"Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise management would like to thank members of the public for their support in preventing the spread of infection in the hospital. Their help is vital to protect patients, staff, and the wider community.

"Where possible, the management at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as their local Pharmacist, GP, GP out-of-hours service, or a local injury unit," it said.

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In Ireland, the normal flu season typically starts in October and lasts until April. While flu activity can vary from year to year, it generally peaks during the winter months, with outbreaks lasting between 6-8 weeks.

The outbreak impacting Portlaoise hospital appears to be localised to Laois. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland's specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases. Its Integrated Respiratory Virus Bulletins During for week 16 of 2025 found that influenza, COVID-19 and RSV activity in Ireland was at low levels. It said influenza hospital bed occupancy nationally remained stable in recent weeks

Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Oranisation said there were six people on trollies in the Portlaoise hospital Emergency Department at 8am on Friday.

For up-to-date guidelines on visiting patients, please visit: https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospitals/midland-regional-hospital-portlaoise/.

To learn more about influenza please visit the HSE website: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/