Scottish winter flu deaths up to 13

Published on 08/02/2013 02:36

DEATHS from flu in Scotland this winter have increased to 13, up from 11 last week, figures show.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) also revealed that four more people had to be admitted to intensive care due to the virus in the last week, bringing the total this flu season to 57.

But rates of people seeing their doctor with flu-like symptoms, while up slightly, remained within expected levels with 44.2 consultations per 100,000 people, the experts said.

Rates of flu vary from year to year, but this winter has already seen more flu admissions and deaths than the last flu season when a total of 17 intensive care admissions and five deaths were reported.

The latest figures published by HPS showed that of the 57 cases needing intensive care treatment, nine were under 15 years old.