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Influenza A (H1N1) update
28/01/2010
The latest figures from Health Protection Scotland about the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) in Scotland have been published today.
The findings are:
- A rate of GP consultations for flu-like illness - not necessarily H1N1 - across Scotland of 89.6 per 100,000, a decrease on last week's figures of 92.9 per 100,000.
- The proportion of community samples that tested positive for H1N1 was 12.3 per cent, a increase on last week's figure of 7.2 per cent.
- These rates suggest that an estimated figure of 1390 people have consulted their GP. However, taking account of the number of people having H1N1 but not consulting their GP, HPS estimates that around 3980 people have contracted H1N1 in the past week.
- The proportion of cold and flu related calls to NHS 24 decreased from 2.9 per cent to 2.7 per cent.
- As of January 25, there have been 1,531 people with influenza A (H1N1) hospitalised since the start of the outbreak. In the last week six people have required hospital admission.
- The estimated uptake rate of the vaccine so far for people under 65 years in a clinical at risk group is 51.8 per cent, among individuals aged 65 years and over in a clinical at risk group is 49.1 per cent. Overall this equates to a vaccination rate of 50.6 per cent - up from 49.1 per cent the previous week.
- The estimated uptake rate so far among front line health and social care staff is 51.5 per cent and 32.4 per cent respectively.
- As of January 25 there have been 66 deaths linked to influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the outbreak.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"It is encouraging to see further decrease in the number of people visiting their GP with flu-like symptoms.
"Despite this decrease we continue to urge parents with children aged six months to five years to come forward and accept the jag. Vaccination is the best protection from the virus which can lead to serious complications in some cases."
Rates of GP consultations for flu-like illness per 100,000 population in Scottish NHS Boards:
- Ayrshire and Arran - 68.2
- Borders - 113.9
- Dumfries and Galloway - 154.9
- Fife - 66.9
- Forth Valley - 103.5
- Grampian - 57.1
- Greater Glasgow and Clyde - 133.4
- Highland - 85.3
- Lanarkshire - 73.8
- Lothian - 45.0
- Orkney - 48.6
- Shetland - 148.3
- Tayside - 111.1
- Western Isles - 176.8
- Scotland - 89.6
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