Ireland is on full alert for swine flu after a second person has died from the disease.

The man - who has not been identified - did not have any underlying medical condition.

Health experts say they are now very concerned about what the fall will bring.

The man - who was from the east coast of the country - contracted the influenza A(H1N1) virus in Ireland.

The condition of that person is not known.

This is the second death this month from the disease.

An 18-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis from Sligo died at Tallaght Hospital earlier this month.

Health authorities say they are seeing about 1,400 people a week with flu-like illnesses and 50 cases were severe enough to admit to to hospital.

Colleges have also seen outbreaks, with one Irish-language college forced to close.

HSE Assistant National Director Health Protection Dr Kevin Kelleher said: "What we are waiting to see, like the rest of the world, is what will happen in the autumn and winter.

"We have clearly seen very large surges of the disease in south America, Australia and New Zealand so we have to wait and see."