Flu Hospital Visits Surge 10% as Taiwan Faces Epidemic Threat

Hospital visits for flu-like illnesses in Taiwan increased by approximately 10 percent last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The uptick aligns with expectations of peak flu activity next month, coinciding with the Lunar New Year festivities. This rise in cases brings the total number of hospital visits to 91,842, with 9.7 percent of these visits occurring in emergency rooms, nearing the epidemic threshold of 11 percent.

Guo Hung-wei, the director of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Center, noted that influenza A(H3N2) has emerged as the dominant strain in circulation. From last Tuesday to this past Monday, the CDC reported 23 cases of severe flu complications and three flu-related deaths. Since the flu season began on October 1, 2022, there have been 441 severe cases and a total of 86 deaths linked to the virus.

Among the fatalities was a man in his 60s with chronic health conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, who had not received this season’s flu vaccine. Lin Yung-ching, a CDC physician, highlighted that individuals with underlying health issues or obesity face a greater risk of severe complications from influenza. He emphasized the importance of vaccination for these vulnerable groups.

The CDC’s Deputy Director-General, Lin Min-cheng, indicated that flu activity is on the rise and is likely to reach epidemic levels in the coming weeks. He noted that the combination of low temperatures and increased social gatherings during the year-end holiday season raises the likelihood of respiratory infections. Currently, around 179,000 doses of government-funded flu vaccines are still available, and the CDC is urging elderly individuals and those at higher risk to get vaccinated.

In addition to the flu situation, the CDC reported that cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) rose to 347 last year, the highest count in five years, resulting in 36 deaths. Chiu Cheng-hsun, deputy superintendent of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that while global IPD cases decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now on the rise again. He noted that pneumonia, which is often caused by pneumococcus, is the third leading cause of death in Taiwan.

Chiu further explained that pneumococcal infections can lead to serious health issues, including pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. The fatality rate for IPD can reach up to 20 percent. Vaccination can offer approximately 75 percent protection against this disease, making it a crucial preventative measure.

Starting from tomorrow, a new government-funded single-dose 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine will be available to eligible adults, providing an additional tool in combating these serious health threats. The CDC continues to advocate for vaccination as a primary defense against both influenza and pneumococcal disease as Taiwan prepares for the upcoming peak flu season.