Colder temperatures coupled with a mutation of the flu virus could have led to this year’s higher incidence of influenza.

“There seem to be more cases of the flu than normal although we can’t really call it an epidemic since we don’t have enough data,” Tanya Melillo, head of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit, said.

So far, she said, the majority of swabs taken from patients with the flu had shown the presence of H1N1, a strain of the flu present all over Europe.

But tests were starting to show cases of the H3N2 strain that has spread in the US.

The flu vaccine given in Malta covered three different strains of the virus including the two mentioned above, she added, stressing there was nothing to be alarmed about.

Dr Melillo pointed out that taking the vaccine provided between 60 and 90 per cent protection to a person, depending on the individual’s health and vulnerability.

Asked what could be causing the increased incidence of the flu, she said this could be due to several factors such as mutations of the virus and temperature since these viruses thrived in colder climates.

Then there were factors that could be controlled such as the level of crowds and whether people were careful not to pass the virus on to others.

The basics of not spreading the virus included: covering your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands, and staying home when you are sick and have fever.

She reminded people that they could still get the vaccine at the Floriana health centre.

Renzo de Gabriele, a family doctor, said he noticed a peak in the flu over the past weeks, as the weather got colder, but there was nothing alarming.

Other doctors contacted by The Times said they had also noticed an increase in lower respiratory tract infections.

Jurgen Abela, a general practitioner, said he had seen an increase in the frequency and severity of bronchitis and chest infections.

However, when it came to the flu, he had not witnessedany marked increase over previous winters.

Peter Attard, also a doctor, agreed there was an increase in lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, but “nothing out of the norm, really”.