As the New Year holiday has arrived, many people have planned to celebrate the New Year with their friends and family during the three-day weekend.The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reminded the public to pay attention to personal health and hygiene while going to crowded places because January is a peak month for influenza activity.

Since the weather has been fairly cold recently, the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus remains active.According to influenza experts, the pandemic H1N1 virus will continue to be active for a period of time and it is hard to predict the third wave of influenza infection.In addition, the majority of the people still have not received the pandemic H1N1 vaccine.Herd immunity to the pandemic H1N1 virus has yet been achieved.People are advised to avoid visiting crowded places or put on a mask before going out when feeling unwell and choose well-ventilated indoor places when hanging out with friends and family.People are also advised to observe cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and wash hands frequently to prevent the transmission of viruses.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) encouraged people to visit outdoor places and exercise instead of staying up all night during the three-day weekend to boost their immunity and advised parents of school children and infants who have received the first dose of the pandemic H1N1 vaccine to avoid taking their children to crowded places to prevent infection.When influenza-like symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat develop, please seek medical attention immediately and stay at home as much as possible.Taiwan CDC stressed that getting the pandemic H1N1 vaccination is the single best way to prevent the disease.To ensure the health of everyone, the public is urged to get the pandemic H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible.