The first set of figures providing a rate for all flu-like illnesses - not necessarily H1N1 - for which a GP consultation has been sought across Scotland have been published today.
While the evidence suggests influenza A (H1N1) continues to circulate in certain parts of Scotland, there has been no increase in the rate of hospitalisation and no further deaths linked to the virus.
Today's findings are:
* A rate of GP consultations for flu-like illness across Scotland of 23.6 per 100,000.
* An estimate for cases of H1N1 from the total number of flu-like illnesses will be included in next week's update.
* There have been 40 people hospitalised for influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the outbreak. Five are in hospital as of today.
* There have been two deaths linked to influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the outbreak.
Today's figures suggest a drop in the number of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the board which has seen the highest number of Scottish cases.
However other areas, including NHS Lanarkshire, have seen a rise in GP visits for flu-like symptoms in recent days.
The overall rate for Scotland is only slightly higher than would be expected at this time of year and is still much lower than the rate expected at the height of a normal, winter flu outbreak, when it can climb as high as 600 consultations per 100,000 people.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"Today's figures are the first of their kind and we will need to compare them with future weeks to get a meaningful picture of how the virus is spreading.
"As this new system is only just starting, there are some gaps in this week's figures. In the weeks ahead we will have a more complete picture based on testing from a larger number of GP practices.
"In some areas, we are seeing a relatively large number of people going to the doctor with flu-like symptoms and, within that, there are likely to be new cases of H1N1.
"Nevertheless, the Scotland-wide rate is not significantly higher than we would expect to see at this time of year.
"Furthermore, there are some encouraging signs that rates of GP visits are declining in areas like Greater Glasgow and Clyde that have seen 'virus hotspots', suggesting that the spread may be slowing there.
"The H1N1 virus continues to be mild and most people are making a full recovery within a short space of time.
"Even so, NHS Scotland is on high alert to make sure anyone who may be at greater risk of complications due to underlying health problems gets the help they need as quickly as possible."
