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Influenza A (H1N1) update
15/10/2009
A 17-year-old woman from the Borders who was pregnant when she contracted influenza A (H1N1) has died.
Due to the sudden nature of this death, a report has gone to the Procurator Fiscal.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The death of this young mother-to-be and her baby is deeply saddening and my thoughts are with her family and friends.
"Medical experts have been telling us that pregnant women are more vulnerable to developing complications after contracting the virus. For this reason, they will be among the priority groups for vaccination when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available later this month.
"I would urge all pregnant women to get vaccinated to ensure the maximum protection for themselves and their babies.
"While there is no evidence to suggest that the virus is becoming any more dangerous for the public at large, this tragic death highlights that some groups are at greater risk and should take up the offer of vaccination."
The latest figures about the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) in Scotland have been published today.
800 GP practices are now supplying surveillance reporting figures, compared to 58 in previous weeks. This allows a more comprehensive picture of consultation rates.
Today's findings are:
- A rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses - not necessarily H1N1 - across Scotland of 106.4 per 100,000. This is an increase from last weeks figure of 86.1.
- The number of community samples that tested positive for H1N1 has increased to 29.3 per cent from 16.4 per cent last week.
- These rates suggest that an estimated figure of 4,370 have consulted their GP. However, taking account of the number of people having H1N1 but not consulting their GP, HPS estimate that around 12,500 people have contracted H1N1 in the past week.
- As of October 7, there have been 315 people with influenza A (H1N1) hospitalised since the start of the outbreak. 64 people have required hospital admission in the last week and, as of yesterday, there were 50 in hospital in Scotland. 64 represents the highest number of weekly admissions to hospital since the outbreak began.
- There have been fifteen deaths linked to influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the outbreak.
- Although there are increased absence levels currently in a few schools, these instances are localised and do not signal an overall increase in absence levels in schools across Scotland this past week.
Speaking about the weekly reported figures, Ms Sturgeon said:
"This week's figures show an increase in the number of people consulting their GP with flu-like symptoms and the number of overall estimated cases.
"Flu epidemics by their very nature are unpredictable and weekly increases and decreases are to be expected. Even if H1N1 continues to be a relatively mild virus for most people affected, its effects on the health service and on the wider community could be highly disruptive and we can not be complacent about the threat presented by the outbreak.
"Hospitalisations continue to increase and this means that it is even more vital that those deemed at risk do all they can to protect themselves.
"Vaccination is the best defence we have against the H1N1 virus and Scotland is preparing very well for the first phase of the vaccination programme which is due to start later this month.
"Anyone who is concerned about flu-like symptoms should continue to contact their GP for advice, or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24."
Rates of GP consultations for flu-like illness per 100,000 population in Scottish NHS Boards
Ayrshire and Arran - 58
Borders - 55
Dumfries and Galloway - 74
Fife -80
Forth Valley - 106
Grampian - 111
Greater Glasgow and Clyde - 151
Highland - 58
Lanarkshire - 105
Lothian - 116
Orkney - 35
Shetland - 21
Tayside - 91
Western Isles - 112
Scotland - 106
Population figures per board area, mid-year 2008 estimates (GROS)
Ayrshire and Arran - 367,510
Borders - 112,430
Dumfries and Galloway - 148,580
Fife - 361,815
Forth Valley - 290,047
Grampian - 539,630
Greater Glasgow and Clyde - 1,194,675
Highland - 309,900
Lanarkshire - 561,174
Lothian - 817,727
Orkney - 19,890
Shetland - 21,980
Tayside - 396,942
Western Isles - 26,200
Scotland - 5,168,500