Scots urged to get vaccinated after flu cases almost double

The public is being urged to get vaccinated against flu as the country continues to see an increase in cases.

In the week leading up to December 1, the number of lab-confirmed cases nearly doubled, with circulation increasing alongside hospital admissions.

“Extraordinary” levels of RSV are also being seen in children aged between one and four.

In Elgin, health board bosses were forced to close several wards at Dr Gray’s Hospital due to a norovirus outbreak.

All non-essential visiting was suspended across the hospital in a bid to control the spread of the virus.

Kimberley Marsh, interim Viral Pathogens Lead at Public Health Scotland, said the increase in flu rates is typical for this time of year.

She told STV News: “What we’re seeing in terms of increasing flu rates is quite typical for this time of year.

“During the pandemic years, we might not have seen those figures through the measures being taken to control Covid.

“If you look at our rates of flu and how they are rising, it is similar to what we have seen, for example, last year.

“The year before that, we did have much higher rates, and that was following the end of the pandemic.

“Although we are seeing a rise in rates, that tends to be the way that flu increases this time of year as more people come inside and are circulating and moving around together.

“We are seeing upticks and increases in our norovirus cases. People who are very unwell will end up in hospital, and norovirus is circulating at higher levels so that’s definitely something that we see as a winter risk is that people will end up in hospital.

“Right now in Scotland, we’re looking at the increases in flu and RSV cases, which tend to typically peak earlier in the winter season and have indeed been doing that.

“They were at extraordinary levels; there’s some indication that they might be declining.”

In the week leading up to December 1, there were 1,714 lab-confirmed cases of norovirus, around 200 more than in the same period last year.

The five-year average for the same period between years 2015 and 2019 was 1,172.

Experts have seen a new strain of norovirus become dominant in Scotland this winter, which could result in a higher number of cases.

Norovirus is a common illness that can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be very unpleasant, but most people make a full recovery within a couple of days.

The virus is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals from one person to another.

“Norovirus is increasing in ways we would expect at this time of the year”, Ms Marsh said.

“Covid-19 levels right now are quite low, so I think those are the four viruses that we have our eyes on most during the winter

“Our previous season’s data would suggest that we’re in for higher increases in flu, which is why it’s important that there’s still time to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.

“Vaccination is one of the ways you can best prevent diseases and reduce pressure on the hospitals.

“It’s important to share that there is still time to get vaccinated before the holiday season and certainly we might see higher rates of flu coming.”