Taiwan to extend free flu medication until Nov. 15

Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday it will extend the free influenza medication program for eligible groups until Nov. 15.

From Oct. 19-25, Taiwan recorded 110,442 influenza-related medical visits, down 15.6 percent from the previous week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center deputy director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) said at a routine news briefing in Taipei.

However, there were 38 new severe flu cases and 13 new deaths from Oct. 21-27, Lin said, adding that flu-related visits to emergency rooms accounted for 11.4 percent of all visits, indicating the outbreak is still in its peak period.

The youngest of the newly reported flu deaths was a 9-year-old boy from central Taiwan with no underlying health conditions who received a flu vaccine in October last year, CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said.

He fell ill in September and developed leg pain three days before being hospitalized at the end of that month, Lin said, adding that the boy also had a fever that persisted despite taking antipyretics, along with chills, vomiting, cough, and a runny nose.

A rapid flu test later confirmed that he had contracted the influenza A virus.

While hospitalized, the boy's condition worsened and he died in late October from severe complications, Lin said.

CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said although the number of flu cases is declining, the epidemic may not subside completely until mid-November.

As a result, the government has extended the annual free medication program, which began on Oct. 1 and was originally set to run through Oct. 31, Lo added. It will now continue until Nov. 15.

Eligible groups include seniors aged 65 and over, individuals with high-risk or chronic diseases, employees at child care or long-term care facilities, and health care and disease-control personnel.

Influenza in the winter season typically surges in late December or January and is generally more severe than autumn cases. Colder weather can trigger chronic conditions in older adults alongside the flu, Lo said, urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible through the free vaccination program.