Statistics are gathered across Scotland based on a network of flu-spotter GP practices. The national average last week was 138 patients with flu-like symptoms per 100,000 people, up from 99 the previous week.

Tayside was again the third-highest of any health board area with a rate of 219 per 100,000, up from 149.

However, that is only just over one fifth of the rate that would be needed to reach epidemic level. It was also well behind the 542 recorded in the Borders and the 602 in Dumfries and Galloway.

Fife’s rate went down to only 34 per 100,000, compared to 63 the previous week. That put it second-bottom after Orkney.

The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health said it was not concerned about the national increase because the rate was still well within the range for a normal flu season, which runs from October to April.