The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday urged people planning to spend their Lunar New Year holiday in regions where influenza is rampant to step up preventive measures to protect themselves.
“Hong Kong is one of the most popular tourist attractions among Taiwanese, but the region has entered peak influenza season, where more than 80 severe or complicated influenza cases have been reported since the beginning of this month,” CDC Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) told a news conference in Taipei.
Chuang said that nearly 90 percent of the cases were infected with the H3N2 influenza strain, with at least 42 infections being fatal.
People planning to visit the US, Europe and countries near Taiwan are also urged to take extra precautions, as most of these destinations are also affected by the H3N2 virus, Chuang said.
Within the nation’s borders, Chuang said 18 severe or complicated flu cases were reported between Jan. 1 and Monday, including two fatal cases, bringing the total number of infections and deaths in this flu season to 74 and 16 respectively.
“However, it is worth noting that about 93.8 percent of people who died of the flu had a history of chronic disease,” Chuang added.
People who are qualified to receive government-funded flu vaccines are urged to get vaccinated before the holiday, Chuang said, adding that those who experience flu-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, low blood pressure and bloody sputum, should seek immediate medical attention.
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