TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署), the island's national public health agency, reported Tuesday (July 15) that influenza cases have reached their lowest point this year with 78,503 medical consultations recorded last week. CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) noted that this marks the seventh consecutive week of declining flu activity across the island. Health officials have not detected any signs of a potential resurgence in infections, with the current influenza season dominated by the A(H1N1) viral strain.
Health authorities expressed confidence that Taiwan has successfully contained the seasonal influenza epidemic, with no indicators pointing toward a summer outbreak. The agency plans to maintain vigilance as students return to classrooms in September, a period that typically presents increased transmission risks. Beginning Aug. 1, Taiwan will broaden access to government-subsidized antiviral medications, extending coverage to two previously excluded vulnerable groups: women within two weeks after childbirth and minors under 18 years of age whose body mass index exceeds the 95th percentile for their respective age brackets.
The policy expansion aligns with international best practices, drawing on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taiwan's health authorities also consulted with domestic medical organizations, including the Taiwan Infectious Diseases Society (台灣感染症醫學會) and the Taiwan Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (台灣兒童感染症醫學會), before implementing the changes. Health officials estimate this expanded eligibility will benefit roughly 135,000 women in the immediate postpartum period and 367,000 children with obesity each year.
Taiwan has distributed essential antiviral medications — Tamiflu (克流感), Eraflu (易剋冒), and Relenza (瑞樂沙) — to a network of 4,000 partner healthcare facilities throughout the island. Public health officials urge individuals experiencing significant flu symptoms to promptly consult medical professionals. Doctors will assess each case individually to determine appropriate treatment protocols. The CDC has established online resources for public access to vaccination and medication information through its official website and an interactive digital platform called the "flu and COVID-19 vaccine and medication map" (流感新冠疫苗及流感藥劑地圖). ◼