The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced that influenza activity gradually declined after reaching a peak around the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday. The public is once again urged to practice hand and respiratory hygiene. If influenza-like symptoms develop, please put on a mask and seek immediate medical attention. When necessary, please follow the doctor’s instructions in taking the government-funded influenza antiviral drugs and resume work or school after full recovery.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, during February 16 and 22, 2016, a total of 320 new severe influenza complications were confirmed. In response to the increase in the number of severe influenza complications, Taiwan CDC together with other units and local governments have offered backup for health care institutions caring for such cases. Last week, 14 deaths, including 9 males and 5 females, were found to be associated with influenza infection. They aged between 4 and 85. They were not vaccinated against influenza and 12 had history of chronic conditions.

Last week’s ER consultation rate for influenza infection is lower than that the week before, which coincided with the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday. H1N1 is currently the dominant strain circulating in the community, accounting for about 70% of the total reported cases. Since the beginning of this influenza season on July 1, 2015, as of February 22, 2016, a total of 771 severe influenza complications, including 69 deaths, have been confirmed. Over 95% of patients with influenza-related complications did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Since December 1, 2015, Taiwan CDC has expanded the target population for the government-funded influenza antiviral drug use to include patients with influenza-like illness who have a fever longer than 48 hours and family members/coworkers/classmates of confirmed influenza cases who display ILI. Thus far, none of the viruses identified has shown drug resistance. Simultaneously, physicians are urged to heighten vigilance for patients with influenza and promptly prescribe government-funded influenza antiviral drugs to eligible patients in order to ensure prompt treatment.

Elderly aged 65 and above, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women are all at increased risk for influenza-related complications. If signs of severe complications such as breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, cyanosis, blood-stained mucus or thickening of mucus, chest pain, change of consciousness, or low blood pressure develop, please seek immediate medical attention to ensure prompt treatment. Taiwan CDC urges physicians to heighten vigilance for patients with influenza and promptly prescribe government-funded influenza antiviral drugs to eligible patients in order to reduce the risk of complications and death.

To ward off influenza infection, Taiwan CDC once again recommends the following measures: pay additional attention to respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, put on a surgical mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms, cover mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing, and maintain a distance of at least one meter while having conversations with others. If signs of severe complications develop, please put on a mask and seek immediate medical attention. Most importantly, please follow the physician’s instructions in completing treatment and rest at home. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).