The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced a new case of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in a pregnant woman. She is the sixth pregnant woman hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1). The case who is 32 weeks into her pregnancy developed symptoms, including cough, headache, dizziness and runny nose, and sought medical attention at a clinic on November 9, 2009. On the next day, she sought medical attention again because she developed fever. She was tested negative by the rapid diagnostic test for influenza A. Nevertheless, she was retained in the hospital for a day and was sent home after her fever subsided. On November 14, 2009, she was rushed to a hospital after she developed fever, cough and shortness of breath. On November 16, 2009, after a clinical diagnosis, she was reported to the health authority as a case of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and specimen was collected from her for further testing. Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection was confirmed in the case by laboratory testing. On November 17, 2009, the case delivered a son. The newborn baby is still currently hospitalized and the case is still being treated at the intensive care unit because she has developed severe pulmonary infiltrates.

According to the literature, pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from influenza. The development of influenza is notably faster in pregnant women. Other symptoms such as bacterial infection (pneumonia) might develop subsequently. Further, epidemiological researches conducted overseas have shown that pregnant women are at significantly higher risk for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection and recommended vaccinating pregnant women against the disease.

CECC indicated that at the time of writing, six pregnant women have been reported to have hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and two have died. Pregnant women make up the second category of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine priority list in Taiwan. Thus far, a total of 1624 pregnant women have received the vaccine. CECC would like to once again urge all pregnant women to receive the vaccine. All pregnant women can receive the vaccine at contracted hospitals administering the vaccine upon presentation of their pregnant women handbook. Receiving the vaccine not only protects them from getting the disease, but also protects the babies they carry. Additionally, doctors will still assess pregnant women’s risk of getting the vaccine prior to vaccination and pregnant women are also advised to remain in a nearby area to be observed for a minimum of 30 minutes after the vaccination to ensure they do not experience any discomfort prior to leaving the hospital.