The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday announced the first flu fatality of the fall. The victim was a 75-year-old woman who died four days after contracting the illness.
The woman lived in southern Taiwan and had a history of high blood pressure.
She came down with the illness on Oct. 13 and died four days later of hemorrhagic shock induced by pneumonia, a complication of influenza.
She contracted Type A influenza, with symptoms including breathing difficulty, coughing and a fever above 38oC, CDC Deputy Director Lin Ting (林頂) said.
She had no record of travel or receiving any flu vaccine shots within the past 12 months. Her husband, who lived in the same house with her, was hospitalized because of coughing and fever on Oct. 10 and has already recovered, Lin said.
"Though she qualified for free flu shots, she did not go to get one," said Lin, saying her death could possibly have been prevented by the vaccine.
The CDC said the flu season should start at the end of next month and peak around Christmas. Because it takes around two weeks for the body to build up immunity after receiving the vaccine, Lin urged those who qualify to get the shot as soon as possible.
Since the beginning of the month, free flu inoculations have been available to high-risk groups including children between six months and three years old, senior citizens aged 65 and older, medical and epidemic control personnel, bird and poultry industry handlers and detainees in public and private shelters, as well as elementary school children in grades one through four.
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