Health « Thurles Information

HSE Report XFG Variant Covid-19 Cases Skyrocketing.

Covid-19 cases have been sharply increasing nationwide this week, with some 477 new infections identified within the last seven (7) days .

This worrying figure marks a stark rise from the previous 302 cases identified the previous week. Professional medical staff attribute the rising number of cases is possibly due in part to a new variant, known as Stratus or XFG.

Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) indicate that the proportion of Covid cases currently associated with this new XFG variant has begun to skyrocket, with figures soaring from 16.3% to 40.9% over the past 14 days.
While the symptoms are understood to be milder than what has been previously experienced, the World Health Organisation is reportedly categorising this new strain as a “variant under monitoring” and advise that same may spread more rapidly.

Once again, the HSE advice that if you exhibit any symptoms of Covid, you should stay at home for 48 hours after the symptoms have completely subsided. The HSE also advise individuals to avoid contact with other persons, particularly those who are more vulnerable to Covid. i.e. elderly or immuno-compromised persons.

The HSE are also reminding the public of the extensive list of Covid symptoms to be aware of. These include: Fever (high temperature). Chills – Dry cough – Fatigue (tiredness) – Shortness of breath (or breathing difficulties)– Loss of smell or taste – Nasal congestion – Conjunctivitis (red eye or pink eyes) – Sore throat – Headache – Muscle or joint pain – Skin rash – Vomiting/Diarrhoea – Chills or dizziness – Loss of appetite – Confusion and finally Pain or Pressure on the chest.

Recall Of Ballymaguire Foods Turkey & Ham Dinners.

Recall of various branded Turkey and Ham Dinners, produced by Ballymaguire Foods, due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert Summary dated Friday, July 18th 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.33
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: All pack sizes, all batch codes and all use by dates.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The below Turkey & Ham Dinners are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.	Approval Number.
Centra Turkey & Ham Dinner.	4008
Supervalu Turkey & Ham Dinner.	4008.
Good Food Turkey & Ham Dinner 4008.	4008.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers and Retailers:

Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated Turkey & Ham Dinners from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated Turkey and Ham Dinners and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Caterers: should not use the implicated Turkey & Ham Dinners.

Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated Turkey and Ham Dinners.

FSAI Warn Of Allergens – Bao Long Soup Seasonings.

Update to undeclared allergens in specific batches of various Bao Long Soup Seasonings

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, July 16th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A27 (update 1)
Allergen: Soybeans
Product Identification: (1) Bao Long Pho Ga Soup Seasoning; pack size 75g,
(2) Bao Long Hu Tieu Nam Vang Soup Seasoning; pack size: 75g
Batch Code: All batch codes and all best before dates.
Country Of Origin: Vietnam

Message: Further to FSAI food allergen alert 2025.A27, the above additional batches of Bao Long Soup Seasonings contain soya which is not declared on the label.
This may make the implicated batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of soya. Therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batches.

The affected batches are being recalled.

FSAI Warn Of Undeclared Allergens In Bao Long Soup Seasonings.

Food Safety Authority Of Ireland Warn Of Undeclared Allergens In Specific Batches Of Various Bao Long Soup Seasonings.

Alert Summary dated Thursday, July 10th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A27
Allergens: Soybeans, crustaceans, cereals containing gluten, as per table shown hereunder.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Vietnam

Product name.	Pack size.	Batch code	Allergens.
Bao Long Chicken Noodle Soup Seasoning.	75g.	2301.	Soybeans.
Bao Long Hue Noodle Soup Seasoning.	75g.	2302.	Crustaceans.
Bao Long Vegan Pho Soup Seasoning.	75g.	2315.	Soybeans.
Bao Long Vegan Hu Tieu Soup Seasoning.	75g.	2316.	*Soybeans and cereals containing gluten (wheat).*

Message: The above batches of Bao Long Soup Seasonings contain some allergens that are not declared on the label. This may make the implicated batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of soya, cereals containing gluten (wheat) and/or crustaceans.
Therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batches. The affected batches are being recalled.

FSAI Warn Of Soya In Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warn of possible presence of soya in specific batches of Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce.

Alert Summary dated Friday, July 4th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A26.
Allergen: Soybeans.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Philippines.

Message: The below batches of Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce may contain soya, which is not declared on the label. This may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of soya, and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batches.

Product name.	Pack size.	Batch code.	Best before date.
Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce Hot.	330g.	2878.	All best before dates.
Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce Regular.	330g.	2879.	All best before dates.
Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce Regular.	330g.	2881.	All best before dates.