Taiwan enters influenza epidemic period with rising severe cases

Taiwan has officially entered the influenza epidemic period. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), influenza-like illness outpatient visits reached 115,136 during the 35th week of the year, an 11% increase from the previous week. This figure has surpassed the epidemic threshold of 11%.

During the reported week, there were 105 new cases of severe influenza complications and 19 deaths. The A-type H1N1 strain is the primary driver, accounting for 97 of the severe cases and 18 of the deaths. For the current flu season, the CDC has recorded a cumulative total of 1,329 severe cases and 253 deaths.

Health officials noted that high-risk groups include the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Specifically, 65.1% of severe cases involved individuals aged 65 or older, and 82.8% of severe cases occurred in patients with chronic medical histories. Furthermore, 68.6% of severe patients had not received the seasonal influenza vaccine.