Flu cases rise across Taiwan, prompting health officials to strengthen vaccination efforts and issue warnings about severe complications. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 150,251 hospital visits for flu-like illnesses and 16 flu-related deaths over the past week. This marks the ninth consecutive week of increases, highlighting growing pressure on healthcare services.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei explained that hospital visits rose 13.5 percent compared to the previous week. Moreover, Taiwan officially entered the flu epidemic period last month. Surveillance data showed that influenza viruses dominate community transmission, with influenza A(H3N2) leading, followed by A(H1N1) and influenza B.
Officials emphasized the importance of vaccination as flu cases rise. For instance, a five-year-old girl with no underlying conditions had not received a flu vaccine. She developed a fever and cough in mid-September, and doctors diagnosed her with influenza A. Subsequently, her condition rapidly worsened, leading to encephalitis and eventually death despite medical intervention.
Similarly, another fatal case involved a woman in her 40s with liver disease who had skipped vaccination. She developed severe respiratory symptoms, and doctors admitted her to intensive care. Over two weeks, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away from influenza A complications.
CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui announced that flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns started last Wednesday. By Monday, the government had administered 1.068 million flu vaccine doses and 295,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. She urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated promptly and to book appointments through local health departments to avoid delays.
As flu cases rise, authorities are ensuring vaccine quality and correct administration. Additionally, Tseng highlighted an incident where two children received only half doses at a clinic. Consequently, the agency intervened, and the children received full doses. Health departments have been instructed to reinforce proper vaccination protocols across facilities.
In addition, the CDC reported 17 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complications this year, including eight deaths. Moreover, fourteen cases involved newborns infected with echovirus 11. Therefore, Tseng urged parents to watch for symptoms in infants and young children.
Finally, health experts stressed that timely vaccination and early medical attention can reduce severe outcomes as flu cases rise. Accordingly, officials plan to continue vaccination drives and public health messaging to curb the outbreak before winter intensifies transmission.
