Flu activity will continue to peaks in coming weeks. Given the recent temperatures and weather difference between day and night, as well as the start of work and school following the Lunar New Year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminds the public to practice better hand and respiratory system hygiene. If one shows symptoms of flu, he/she should immediately put on a face mask and seek medical help, as well as adhere to the principle of remaining at home if sick. Furthermore, doctors should remain alert and immediately administer medications to patients who qualify for subsidized anti-viral treatment to lower the risk of developing severe complication of influenza.
According to the monitoring data from CDC, flu activity in Taiwan is currently at a peak. From the start of this year’s Lunar New Year until yesterday (February 6 to February 15), there have been 65 new cases of severe complication of influenza reported. According to initial information, 39 patients among these cases had a history of chronic illness, while only 3 individuals had received vaccinations. Statistics show that there have been nine new influenza-related deaths. The fatalities include eight men and one woman between the ages of 57 and 78. All of these individuals were patients with chronic illnesses and had not received a flu vaccination for this season. Between July 1, 2015 and February 15, 2016, this flu season has resulted in a total of 452 confirmed cases of severe complicated influenza – including 55 deaths. Due to the holiday closures of clinics and hospitals during the Lunar New Year, the number of patients reporting to the emergency room during this period reached 10,000 on the second day of the Lunar New Year. This figure did not drop to approximately 3,000 patients, as is usually the case for the number of flu patients in Taiwan, until the fifth day of Lunar New Year. However, the flu season still remains at a peak. Based on past experiences, the influenza season is expected to gradually subside by mid-March.
Source: Centers for Disease Control, MOHW