TWO more people have died in Scotland from flu during the past week amid concerns the recent cold snap could be behind the upturn in serious cases.
New figures reveal 53 people have been admitted into intensive care with flu this winter season with the virus so far claiming 11 lives.
The majority of those deaths and illnesses have come in 2013, prompting concerns the weather could be to blame.
Scotland experienced severe weather at the turn of the year as much of the country was blanketed in snow and drenched in torrential downpours.
Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist with surveillance agency Health Protection Scotland, said: "Every winter season we see an increase in seasonal influenza cases that often, but not always, coincides with cold snaps.
"It is certainly true there is some association between cold weather snaps and increases in the transmission of different respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus. So we do see some association with climate, but it is an area that is undergoing some study."
Figures recorded by Health Protection Scotland show a drastic rise in flu cases this winter compared to 2011/12, when only 17 people were admitted to intensive care and five died.
However, recorded cases for 2010/11 were far higher, with 177 intensive care admissions and 63 deaths.
This winter, eight children and 21 patients aged 65 and over have been taken into intensive care with flu. The ages of the 11 people who have died have not been released.
The latest figures show appointments with family doctors about flu symptoms have risen again to 44 per 100,000 of the population in the fourth week of the year, which ended on January 27.
The rise came after hopes the consultation rate had peaked in week two of 2013 (52 per 100,000), given a decrease in week three.
Health Secretary Alex Neil has blamed high levels of flu along with the stomach bug norovirus for reports of chaos in Scottish hospitals this month. Patients have had to wait on trolleys for hours because of the high number of admissions and the shortage of available beds.
Mr McMenamin explained: "Last season was the lowest and latest flu season we have seen for a number of decades. That number is much smaller than the season in 2010/11. The number of cases thus far this season is not exceptional."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Any seasonal flu death is deeply regrettable and our thoughts are with the families affected. If someone in the eligible groups, such as pregnant women and the elderly, have not yet received their vaccination we would encourage them to an appointment with the GP.
"Vaccination uptake rates broadly exceed the rates recorded last year, while GP consultation rates for flu like illnesses across Scotland remain under the threshold for normal seasonal flu activity."
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