EIGHT patients have died from flu in Scottish hospitals so far this winter, according to an official report.

The latest bulletin on the virus also shows an increase in the number of people admitted to intensive care units with flu complications.

Since the last weeks of 2014, a total of 30 people have been treated in intensive care as a result of influenza.

Just over half these patients were over the age of 65 and three-quarters had long term medical conditions.

Dr Jim McMenamin, epidemiologist for Health Protection Scotland and an expert on flu, said every death from the virus was regrettable.

However, he said: "The rate of deaths that we are seeing is very similar to that which we have seen in all of the last four or five seasons.

"If you have a range of different underlying medical conditions influenza can tip the balance for you to have a deterioration in your normal medical condition."

People with ongoing lung problems could be tipped into respiratory failure by flu, he said, and the function of the heart could go downhill in people with chronic heart complaints.

The number of patients contacting their GP about flu symptoms has increased since the start of 2015 and is higher than this time last year - but still within what experts consider the normal range.

This is despite concern that the main type of flu circulating in Scotland is slightly different at a genetic level from those included in this year's flu vaccine, suggesting the jab may be less effective at protecting people from the illness.

The number of deaths among Scotland's elderly has been slightly higher than expected since the start of the year - although this may be due to other factors such as colder weather as well as flu.

So far this winter there have been outbreaks of flu in 13 care homes and one school. Raigmore Hospital, in the Highlands, also closed a ward to new admissions and visitors last week because the virus was circulating. A total of 11 cases were recorded in the ward, but it has now re-opened. The hospital authorities in the region are asking members of the public to avoid visiting patients at the hospital if they or someone they live with has been suffering flu symptoms. Those who are eligible for the flu vaccine are encouraged to take up the invitation to have the injection at their GP surgery.