As the temperature drops and influenza activity continues to increase, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) urges the public to get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible. If influenza-like symptoms or signs of severe influenza complications develop, please seek immediate medical attention. On the other hand, physicians are urged to heighten vigilance for patients who are eligible for government-funded antivirals to reduce risk of influenza complications among such patients.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, the influenza activity in Taiwan has been on the rise. Last week, a total of 18 new severe influenza complications, including 4 deaths, were confirmed. Since July 1, 2015, as of January 11, 2016, a total of 196 severe influenza complications, including 34 deaths, have been confirmed. The ER and outpatient consultation rates for influenza-like illness last week respectively were 10.0% and 1.0%, which are about the same as that during the week before last week. During the same period last year, the ER and outpatient consultation rates for influenza-like illness respectively were 9.0% and 1.2%. In addition, the number of people seeking medical attention for influenza-like illness totaled 37,175. During Week 51, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza virus was 21.5%.

As of January 11, 2016, a cumulative total of approximately 79,953 doses of the allotted seasonal influenza vaccines, including 76,985 0.5mL doses of influenza vaccine and 2,968 0.25mL doses of influenza vaccine, remain available. Government-funded influenza vaccines are now available for targeted individuals that are next in line, including those who are not over 50 and have been evaluated by a physician for meeting the eligibility requirements or have had diabetes, chronic liver condition (including liver cirrhosis), cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases (excluding isolated hypertention), kidney diseases and HIV infection till the vaccine is depleted. Individuals meeting the eligibility requirements are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. On the other hand, people who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the government-funded vaccine may choose to get the self-pay influenza vaccine to ensure their own health.

Taiwan CDC urges the public not to underestimate the threat of influenza infection and practice good personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently and putting on a mask when coughing. If signs of severe complications such as shortness of breath, breathing difficulty, cyanosis, blood-stained mucus or thickening of mucus, chest pain, change of consciousness, low blood pressure or high fever that persists for more than 48 hours develop, please put on a mask and seek immediate medical attention. When necessary, please follow the physician’s instructions for taking the government-funded antivirals 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).