TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced Tuesday (April 2) that more than 90,000 people were infected with the flu last week, resulting in 22 severe cases and six deaths.
Despite a decrease from the previous week, the 94,000 flu-related emergency room visits recorded last week marked the second-highest number in the past decade for the same period, according to the CDC.
Of the 22 new severe flu cases reported last week, the patients' ages ranged from under 10 to over 90. Eighteen of these patients had not been vaccinated. The six new deaths were all among individuals aged 60 to over 90, none of whom had been vaccinated.
The CDC has administered approximately 6.55 million doses of publicly funded flu vaccines, with 23,000 remaining. The agency is urging those over six months old who have not been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible to reduce the risk of severe illness.
In addition, the CDC announced the second confirmed case of pertussis, or whooping cough, this year. The patient, a three-month-old girl from central Taiwan, was admitted to the hospital in early March with symptoms including coughing, a runny nose, fever, reduced appetite, vomiting, and cyanosis after severe coughing. She was diagnosed on March 26 and has since been discharged.
The CDC also noted a rise in pertussis cases worldwide, with over 30,000 cases reported in China by February and 500 cases in the Philippines. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control warns of a cyclical peak in pertussis cases every three to five years, particularly affecting the 15-19 age group, and recommends vaccination to reduce risk.
The CDC advises those planning to travel to affected areas to consider vaccination and to wear masks as needed during their journey.