On April 17, 2014, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced its plan to halt the expanded use of government-funded antivirals on April 30 as the influenza activity has decreased and the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for H7N9 influenza has been deactivated per Executive Yuan’s consent. During the peak of the influenza season and the operation of CECC for H7N9 influenza, the use of government-funded antiviral was expanded to include persons with high fever that persists up to 48 hours and family members, coworkers and classmates of confirmed influenza cases who display influenza-like illness (ILI). These two groups of individuals will still have access to the government-funded antivirals until April 30. Nevertheless, severe cases and groups at high risk of severe complications will continue to have access to government-funded antivirals.

According to the influenza surveillance data collected by Taiwan CDC, the peak of the influenza season has passed. In addition, regular operation mechanism has been resumed for all long-term efforts that address the prevention and control of H7N9 influenza. Beginning May 1, 2014, the use of government-funded antivirals will target individuals as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the national committee on influenza prevention, including: (1) persons meeting the case definition of persons with influenza-related complications; (2) pregnant women who need prompt treatment with antivirals; (3) persons with ILI and signs of severe complications; (4) persons with ILI and major illness and injury or cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic or renal disease; (5) persons who are morbidly obese (i.e., BMI ≥35); (6) ILI cluster cases confirmed by the commander and the vice commander of the Communicable Disease Control Medical Network; (7) persons meeting the case definition of persons under investigation for possible H5N1 infection; (8) close contacts of suspected H5N1 cases, probable H5N1 cases and confirmed H5N1 cases; (9) persons meeting the case definition for human infection with influenza A (H7N9) (required reporting through the Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System); and (10) close contacts of confirmed H7N9 influenza cases.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to pay attention to respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette and advises the public to put on a surgical mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms. If someone in the household develops influenza-like illness, especially individuals at increased risks for influenza-related complications such as infants, elderly and patients with chronic diseases, please pay additional attention to the health and wellbeing of such an individual and ensure he/she receive prompt medical treatment to avoid severe influenza complications. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone.