Expanded eligibility for publicly funded influenza antiviral drugs ends this month, while expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines has been extended to April. 30, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) said that flu viruses were the most common respiratory pathogen in the past four weeks and influenza B cases increased over the period.
Testing showed that the dominant strain — influenza A(H3N2) — has subsided, accounting for 51.5 percent of flu cases in the past four weeks, while influenza B accounted for 46.1 percent, Lee said.
Photo: Hou Chia-yu, Taipei Times
There were 58,075 hospital visits for flu-like illness in the seven-day period to Saturday, significantly fewer than the previous week, although the data were likely affected by fewer clinics being open during the Lunar New Year holiday, she said, adding that visits to hospital emergency departments did not exceed the epidemic threshold.
Five cases of severe flu complication and two flu-related deaths were reported over the holiday period from Feb. 14 to Sunday, she said.
CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said that a three-month-old boy diagnosed in the period who was born premature and is not eligible for flu vaccination is the youngest of the severe cases this flu season, which started in October last year.
The infant had symptoms including nasal congestion, a runny nose and coughing early this month, and his condition did not improve after being treated at a clinic twice, Lin said.
The infant was taken to a hospital after he developed persistent sleepiness and lost his appetite, Lin said, adding that he was admitted to an intensive care unit with a fever and pneumonia.
Tests showed that the infant had influenza B complicated by bacterial pneumonia, Lin said, adding that after being treated with flu antiviral agent and antibiotics, he was discharged after 10 days.
Influenza A and B share similar symptoms, but influenza B is more common in children and adolescents, and can cause sudden and severe calf pain from muscle inflammation, as well as diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms, he said.
Hospitalization and mortality rates are similar for both, he added.
CDC Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said that influenza B is expected to replace influenza A to become the dominant strain soon, with a small wave of infections in spring possible, although it would be unlikely to surpass the winter wave.
As flu activity is relatively low and has not exceeded the epidemic threshold, expanded eligibility for publicly funded influenza antiviral drugs would not be extended, meaning it ends on Saturday, CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Min-cheng (林明誠) said.
Regarding COVID-19, Lee said that activity of the disease is relatively low in Taiwan and globally.
One severe case and one death were reported over the holiday period, with both people being unvaccinated against the disease, Lee said.
Lin Min-cheng said that expanded eligibility for publicly funded COVID-19 vaccination — covering all unvaccinated people aged six months or older — would be extended to April 30.
People with higher risk of severe illness are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, he said.
Diarrhea cases — mostly caused by norovirus infection — are expected to continue increasing after the holiday period, especially with schools starting and work resuming, he said.
Enterovirus infections typically increase after schools start and the weather becomes warmer, so schools and other facilities at risk of cluster infections are encouraged to begin preparations such as disinfection, he said.
People should wash their hands frequently with soap, cook food thoroughly, especially seafood and shellfish, avoid cross-contamination, and disinfect environments with diluted bleach after vomiting incidents to help prevent the spread of noroviruses, enteroviruses and flu, Lin Min-cheng said, adding that people with weaker immunity are advised to wear a mask in crowded situations.
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