A flu outbreak sweeping Scotland has claimed nine lives in just a month, new figures have revealed.
Almost twice as many people died of the virus in the month to January 20 than in the whole of 2012.
The figures from surveillance agency Health Protection Scotland show 44 people admitted to hospital with flu required intensive care, including 16 in the East of Scotland.
The statistics are not broken down by health board area, meaning the number of people in Tayside and Fife struck down by the illness is unknown.
Both NHS boards have said it is not too late to get a flu jab and urged everyone eligible to do so.
In Tayside, 77% of people aged over 65 have already received flu vaccination for the 2012-13 season, while the uptake for other at risk groups is 55%.
NHS Tayside director of public health Dr Drew Walker said: “It is not too late for those who have not received their flu jab to do so.
“If you are in an at-risk group then it’s very important to ensure that you are protected from the virus as you can suffer from serious complications if you do catch flu.
“The flu virus survives better in the environment if it is cold and, with winter conditions continuing to be forecast across the country, flu viruses continue to circulate across Scotland.
“We would like to urge all remaining local people who are eligible for the flu jab to make an appointment with your GP to get the free vaccination as soon as you can.”
NHS Fife director of public health Dr Edward Coyle said: “It’s important to get vaccinated annually if you’re eligible, because the virus changes constantly and last year’s vaccine won’t necessarily protect you from this year’s flu viruses.
“Getting the vaccine only takes a few minutes and could help keep you stay well over the winter.”
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns wrote to GP surgeries just before Christmas saying cases of flu were on the increase and giving doctors the go-ahead to prescribe anti-viral drugs to prevent or treat the symptoms.
Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist with Health Protection Scotland, said the 2011-12 flu season was the lightest for many years.
“This season started earlier more in line with what we have seen in the past. Flu consultations with GPs increased across December.”
The latest figures show appointments with family doctors about flu symptoms rose from 37 per 100,000 people to 52 in the first two weeks of the year.
In the first sign the virus may have reached its peak, the number dropped to 33 in the week ending January 20, however.
Mr McMenamin said: “Whether the drop is something that continues we will have to see over the coming weeks, but it is encouraging. The flu season extends almost to the middle of May. We have to keep everything under close review.”
Detailed data on the impact of winter flu has been recorded by Health Protection Scotland for three years. In 2010-11, 177 patients needed intensive care treatment for flu complications and 63 people died.
Last year, this dropped to 17 intensive care admissions and five deaths. Most of the victims to succumb to the virus this month were elderly.
Flu can cause chills, fever, aching muscles, as well as coughing, sneezing, headaches and extreme tiredness.
To be eligible, you must be aged over 65, have a medical condition such as heart of lung problems, be pregnant or an unpaid carer of any age.