Doctors say children are at a higher risk of contracting the flu.

The HSE has issued a warning to parents that children are more at risk of developing the Aussie flu. This comes after it was confirmed that the disease has claimed the lives of multiple victims in Ireland. So far, the HSE has confirmed the deaths of “less than 10 people” from the flu which took the lives of over 300 people in Australia. Doctors are now warning that children between the ages of five and 14 are most at risk.

The flu has resulted in over 70 people being hospitalised over the winter period, with nearly 20 of those coming in the final week of December.

“There have been a few deaths already… under 10 people have died so far this year,” Kevin Kelleher from the HSE told The Independent.

“I don’t give specific numbers when it’s less than 10 because people could be identified.”

Parents are being told to keep an eye on their children for symptoms similar to the normal flu, only more severe. The HSE says people should recover from the normal flu after seven days, so any longer and it could be an indication of something worse. Over 65s, pregnant women and those suffering from chronic conditions are also at high risk of developing the disease.