As influenza activity remains high and the influenza season is expected to end in April, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) will extend the period for the expanded use of government-funded antivirals to April 30, 2015 as an attempt to ensure all patients have access to the antiviral and prevent a possible outbreak from occurring. If respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough develop, please put on a surgical mask and seek immediate medical attention to ensure your health and the health of others.

The following target populations for the government-funded influenza antiviral drug use can receive the drug when seeking medical attention at one of the over 3,000 medical institutes that dispatch antivirals in the nation: (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 with ILI 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 novel influenza A infection; (8) close contacts of suspected novel influenza A cases, probable novel influenza A cases and confirmed novel influenza A cases; (9) persons meeting the case definition for human infection with influenza A (H7N9) (required reporting through the Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System); (9) persons involved in the culling of potentially infected animals; (10)persons with high fever that persists up to 48 hours; and (11) family members, coworkers, and classmates of patients with influenza-like symptoms.

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 website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).