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H1N1 update
18/02/2010
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 76.6 per 100,000, a decrease on last week's figure of 79.6.
- No samples tested positive for H1N1 in those people consulting their GPs through the sentinel scheme as compared to last week's figure of 3.2 per cent of samples testing positive..
- The proportion of cold and flu related calls to NHS 24 decreased from 2.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent.
- As of February 15, there have been 1,539 people with influenza A (H1N1) hospitalised since the start of the outbreak. In the last week nobody required hospital admission.
- The estimated uptake rate of the vaccine so far for people under 65 years in a clinical at risk group is 53.8 per cent, among individuals aged 65 years and over in a clinical at risk group is 54.5 per cent. Overall this equates to a vaccination rate of 54.1 per cent - up from 53.4 per cent the previous week.
- As of January 8, the uptake rate in front line health and social care staff is 51.5 per cent and 32.4 per cent respectively.
- As of February 15, there have been 68 deaths linked to influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the outbreak.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"I am pleased to see that figures continue to indicate that the number of people catching swine flu in Scotland is decreasing.
"After taking expert advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation we have agreed to continue the offer of H1N1 vaccination to the initial phase one priority groups over the summer.
"For most people the H1N1 virus has mild symptoms but some, especially those who we have defined as a priority, can suffer severe complications. We encourage people in the initial priority groups - such as those with long term conditions and pregnant women - to continue to come forward for and accept the vaccination to ensure they are protected against low levels of H1N1 still circulating in our communities."
The method of reporting weekly rates has changed to due to the continuing decrease in H1N1 levels.
The estimated breakdown of GP consolation rates per health board and the estimated number of people contacting the virus will no longer be reported. This is because the smaller figures involved in the returns would result in unreliable estimates.