The number of people with flu in hospitals across Scotland has risen by more than 50%.
As reported by BBC, confirmed cases of flu have more than doubled in a week.
A report from Public Health Scotland PHS shows the number of laboratory-confirmed cases rose sharply to 1,759 in the last week of November, up from 845 the week before.
The number of hospital admissions due to the disease also increased by 70%, from 426 to 724.
PHS said cases had reached a moderate activity level, coming two weeks earlier than in previous flu seasons.
Earlier this week, Health Secretary Neil Gray said Scotland was dealing with a “challenging” strain of the disease, but assured the public there were adequate supplies of flu vaccines.
The country’s flu season has started earlier than normal, with a sharp increase in November 2025.
Experts warned in early November that Britain would have a long and drawn-out flu season and that a new strain of the flu was spreading more easily.
According to the National Records of Scotland, there were currently 17 deaths recorded with influenza as the underlying cause and 21 where influenza was mentioned on the death certificate.
Health boards all responded, broadly saying flu cases were higher this year, with some introducing ward restrictions or face coverings as a precaution, and concerns have been raised this week about the availability of flu vaccinations.
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, said: “The challenge we face this year is the early and rapid increase in flu cases.”
“We know that the vaccine stops hospital admissions; it has a good effect on suppressing both the disease people are suffering from and the spread of it, so my encouragement was that people who are eligible for the vaccine do so,” said Neil Gray.
Health experts are warning Brits to look out for early flu symptoms and take the necessary steps or contact the NHS for appointments for flu jabs or vaccines.
The main symptoms of winter flu are:
• A sudden, intense fever
• Breathing difficulties
• Severe chest pain
• Pain everywhere
• Feeling hot and cold
• Feeling listless
• Have sensitive skin
• Suffer from vomiting and diarrhea
