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Scotland Flu Peak Passed? Experts Urge Caution
18 Dec
Summary
- Scotland's flu season began early, with a significant rise in mid-November.
- While case numbers decline, experts warn of potential additional flu waves.
- Flu-related deaths registered increased sharply in the week ending December 14.
Public Health Scotland has observed a reassuring decline in flu cases across various age groups and systems, suggesting the peak of the current flu season may have been surpassed. This comes after an earlier-than-usual start to the season, marked by a sharp rise in infections around mid-November.
Despite these positive signs, health officials emphasize that some flu seasons can experience multiple waves as different strains circulate. Therefore, they strongly advise individuals eligible for the flu vaccine to still seek protection this winter to remain safeguarded against potential future surges.
While Public Health Scotland reports no unexpected increase in flu-related deaths at this point, noting potential reporting delays, separate figures from the National Records of Scotland highlight a recent concerning trend. The number of registered deaths with flu as an underlying cause more than doubled in the week ending December 14, reaching 67, compared to 30 in the preceding week.
