The number of people seeking consultation at surgeries may rise due to media coverage The flu outbreak in Wales appears to be slowing down, according to health officials.
Dr David Bailey, chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee for Wales, said doctors had reported a drop in diagnosed cases since Christmas.
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said GPs in north Wales had also registered a fall.
Public Health Wales publishes its latest figures on flu consultations later.
The number of deaths this winter from flu across the UK verified by the Health Protection Agency stands at 50, with 45 of these due to swine flu.
Dr Bailey told BBC Wales: "Our figures suggest that the numbers of consultations are starting to drop.
"It's difficult to know if this is since Christmas as practices were obviously closed for several days, but members say it has been quieter on the ground this week.
Dr David Bailey BMA“The problem has been that because people are mainly suffering from the H1N1 swine flu virus, the numbers ending up in hospital with complications are higher”
"The figures across Wales suggest that the number of flu cases in the community seems to be dropping and there's a feeling we might be turning a corner and it will continue to drop.
"The number of flu cases is slightly higher than last year but the problem has been that because it is a newish virus and people are mainly suffering from the H1N1 swine flu virus, the numbers of people ending up in hospital with complications are higher."
Andrew Jones, director of public health for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said doctors were currently treating two confirmed cases of swine flu at Wrexham Maelor Hospital but had overall seen a drop in flu cases.
He said: "GP Surgeries reported a small drop for influenza-like illnesses over the Christmas period but it is expected that consultation rates may rise again."
Escalation plan
Dr Bailey said media coverage and greater awareness about the flu vaccination programme was the reason for any continued rise in people seeking GP consultations.
However, Hywel Dda Health Board told BBC Wales it was still experiencing high volumes of admissions.
A spokeswoman said: "Hospitals across Hywel Dda are currently operating at a very high capacity due to increases in both general admissions and suspected H1N1 and seasonal flu cases.
"From a flu perspective, as of 1100 BST on 12 January, Withybush General Hospital in Pembroke was most impacted and treating 17 cases of flu.
"All hospitals have an escalation plan for such increases and this has been put in place across the board."
Meanwhile, swine flu vaccines are being released to GPs in south Wales whose stocks are running low of the seasonal flu vaccine.
Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said the assembly government was aware that stocks of the seasonal flu vaccine had run very low in some areas.
Hospitals are advising those who have flu-like symptoms to contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or phone their GP rather than attending A&E or doctors' surgeries, to prevent spread of infection.
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Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-12171893
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