Emergency room visits for diarrhea and influenza-like illness (ILI) were lower on Saturday compared with Friday, and fell more than 50 percent year-on-year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday.
The number of emergency room visits typically peaks during the Lunar New Year holiday, when increased travel, large family gatherings and shared meals heighten the risk of transmission, compounded by seasonal winter factors, it said.
The CDC urged the public to take preventive measures against such illnesses by getting vaccinated, wearing masks in public and maintaining good hand hygiene.
Photo courtesy of Changhua Christian Hospital
To reduce the risk of norovirus and enterovirus infections — which are also common at this time of year — people should wash their hands with soap before preparing food and eating, ensure food is thoroughly cooked, avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked items, and follow proper cleaning and disinfection practices, the CDC said.
People returning from holiday travel should monitor their health and inform doctors of their recent travel history when seeking medical care, it added.
CDC data showed that there were 2,069 emergency room visits for ILI on Saturday, a 19.5 percent drop from 2,571 visits the previous day. Comparing figures of the same holiday period over the past three years, visits were down 61 percent from last year, 38.3 percent from 2024 and 4.9 percent from 2023.
The agency advised high-risk groups — including adults aged 65 and older, infants, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses — to remain vigilant.
Anyone experiencing warning signs such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or altered consciousness should seek immediate medical attention to ensure timely treatment, the CDC said.
Emergency room visits for diarrhea totaled 2,069 on Saturday, down 11.5 percent from 2,338 the previous day. Comparing figures of the same period over the past few years, diarrhea emergency room visits declined 72.5 percent from last year, but were 48.1 percent and 45.4 percent higher than those in 2024 and 2023 respectively, it said.
Norovirus accounted for 88 percent of the diarrhea cluster cases, the CDC said, adding that the virus was highly contagious and could spread through contact with contaminated feces or vomit.
Such infections tend to be more severe in infants, older people and immunocompromised people.
Those with suspected symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea, should remain at home and rest for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside to help prevent further transmission.
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