Taiwan reports 10 more flu deaths as CDC warns virus remains widespread

Taipei, Oct. 21 (CNA) The flu has claimed 10 lives in Taiwan over the past week and may continue circulating widely, even though it has passed its first peak, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.

Between Oct. 12 and Oct. 18, there were 128,915 emergency department visits for flu-like illnesses, a 7.8 percent decrease from 137,988 visits in the previous week. This marks the second consecutive week of decline, the CDC said during its weekly briefing.

The CDC also reported 53 new severe flu cases and 10 deaths, including a man in his 40s with a history of diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said the man had not received a flu vaccine this season.

He initially visited a clinic, but when his condition did not improve, he sought care at a larger hospital, experiencing a cough and mild shortness of breath two days before admission, Liu said.

When the man sought medical attention in mid-October, he showed low blood oxygen levels. An X-ray revealed bilateral lung infiltrates, and his white blood cell and blood sugar counts were elevated, indicating pneumonia with acute diabetic complications.

The medical team immediately administered antiviral medication, but his pneumonia rapidly worsened, leading to hypoxemia and septic shock. He passed away on his fifth day in hospital.

Although the man was under 50, his chronic illnesses and poorly controlled diabetes made him particularly vulnerable to the flu, Lin said, urging people with similar conditions to get vaccinated promptly.

Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧), CDC deputy director-general, said the flu has passed its first peak but may continue circulating widely. Cases are expected to decline before rebounding in mid-November and reaching a second peak around the 2026 Lunar New Year.