The Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced that anti-viral drugs will be prescribed free of charge to the elderly in preparation for this winter's predicted flu epidemic.
"According to epidemiologists, a large-scale influenza outbreak will surface every 35 years or so," said Su I-jen (
According to Su, the last two large-scale outbreaks were in 1958 and 1969. Experts predict that the next severe flu season will be sometime between 2003 and 2005, compounding fears of a SARS resurgence.
"On average, about 2 million people, or roughly 10 percent of the population, will be infected with influenza each year," said Shih Wen-yi (
According to the CDC's records, about 2 million were infected with the flu and 30,000 with pneumonia, leading to roughly 4,000 flu-related deaths last year.
The CDC, however, has plans to stave off a severe flu outbreak.
According to Su, the CDC will provide those over the age of 65 with the anti-viral medication Tamiflu from December to February. The CDC has purchased enough medication for roughly 120,000 patients at a cost of NT$500 million.
"If the anti-viral medication proves useful, we will consider having the National Health Insurance Bureau cover the cost of the drug next year," Su said.
The CDC also began administering flu vaccinations to the elderly and health-care workers early last month. So far, around 60 percent of the elderly and 90 percent of health-care workers have been vaccinated.
However, CDC health official Yen Che-chieh (
"The vaccinations are different from the anti-viral medication. Right now, our vaccines only cover certain viral strains and will be ineffective in preventing the spread of virus strains not included in the vaccine," he said.
"The medication will directly treat the cause of influenza infection by preventing it from spreading throughout one's body," Yen said.
Su said that the medication would be ineffective in treating or preventing SARS. The medication will be given to the elderly after a doctor diagnoses the patient with seasonal flu.
The CDC will soon be starting a SARS hotline that can be reached by dialing 177. In addition, it will be requiring that temperature readings be taken upon entering any building beginning Dec. 15.
Su also announced that the International Conference on Influenza and the Resurgence of SARS, which was organized by the CDC, will start today.
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