Flu cases in Scotland down for second week in a row, figures show

Flu activity in Scotland has decreased for the second consecutive week, though the Health Secretary has warned the virus will continue to spread over the festive season and into February and March.

The latest figures from Public Health Scotland show lab-confirmed flu cases were down to 1,297 for the week ending December 21.

This was a decrease of 35% from the previous week’s figure of 1,994.

Meanwhile, there were 679 hospital admissions due to influenza in the week ending December 21, down from 950 in the previous week.

Health Secretary Neil Gray urged those eligible to take up the flu vaccine.

He said: “Vaccination remains the best protection against the virus and I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward for theirs if they have not yet done so.”

Mr Gray continued: “As of 21 December, more than 1.3 million adult flu vaccines have been delivered – over 111,000 more than this point last winter.

“In addition, more than 516,000 children have had their vaccine, bringing the total number of flu vaccinations delivered this season to over 1.8 million.

“Recent data suggests that flu activity has started to decrease, but we typically see activity across January, February and March.

“Increased socialising this festive season will continue to spread the virus, so we are urging those eligible to get vaccinated and help protect each other and our NHS this winter.”

Earlier this week, John Swinney urged Scots to go to accident and emergency only if they have a “genuine emergency”.

The First Minister warned that services are expected to be “exceptionally busy” over the festive period.

Dr Kim Marsh, viral respiratory pathogens lead at Public Health Scotland, said: “Following an early start to the season, the latest data suggests that flu cases and hospitalisations in Scotland continue to decrease.

“While each flu season is unique and peaks are not always predictable, we have now seen reassuring declines across a range of age groups and data systems, including reductions in case numbers in younger age groups.”

She added: “In some flu seasons there can be more than one wave of flu because different types of flu circulate at different times.

“At present, flu A is the main strain circulating. However, in Scotland we typically see flu B circulating in the first few months of the new year, and this can cause a second rise in flu cases.

“That’s why it’s so important to come forward if you’re eligible for a flu vaccine this winter and haven’t had it yet.”