Taiwan's flu cases top 130,000 last week; drop expected in mid-October

Taipei, Sept. 29 (CNA) Taiwan recorded more than 130,000 flu-related outpatient and emergency hospital visits last week, with the epidemic expected to ease in mid-October, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said on Tuesday, while warning that flu activity is rising in several neighboring countries.

According to the CDC's latest surveillance data, 138,654 people sought medical care for influenza-like illnesses at outpatient clinics and emergency departments last week, down 3.2 percent from the previous week, largely due to reduced clinic services during the recent holiday period.

CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) said 87 new cases with severe influenza complications and 30 deaths were reported last week.

Laboratory monitoring data showed that influenza A remains the dominant strain circulating in the community, with the A(H1N1) subtype accounting for 87.7 percent of cases, Lee said.

Since the start of the 2025-2026 flu season, Taiwan has recorded 1,673 severe cases and 334 deaths, Lee said.

Among the severe cases, 65.9 percent were people aged 65 or older, and 83.4 percent had chronic illnesses. Of the total, 67.7 percent had not received this season's flu vaccine, she added.

CDC spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said the flu epidemic is expected to fluctuate in the near term before beginning to decline around mid-October.

However, he said it remains possible that weekly flu-related medical visits could rise to 150,000-160,000 cases before the downturn, adding that the CDC will continue to monitor the situation.

The CDC also warned that flu activity is on the rise in China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, while Hong Kong is at a high level and the United States is also seeing an increase in cases.

Meanwhile, a 2-year-old boy was among the latest flu-related deaths. He died after developing a severe infection that led to acute necrotizing encephalitis, according to CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青).

The boy from southern Taiwan, who had no underlying medical conditions and had not received a flu vaccine this season, developed a fever of above 40 degrees Celsius and a cough with phlegm in early September.

He tested positive for influenza A at a clinic and was prescribed antiviral medication, but his fever persisted after he returned home.

The child was later hospitalized after developing altered consciousness and seizures. Brain scans showed swelling, and he was admitted to an intensive care unit.

His condition deteriorated, with diffuse brain swelling and acute necrotizing encephalitis. He died after two weeks of hospitalization, according to Lin.

A follow-up investigation found that three family members living with the boy also had developed similar symptoms and were confirmed to have influenza infections, Lin said.

The CDC reminded the public that the first phase of Taiwan's publicly-funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination program for 2026 will begin on Oct. 1.

It urged high-risk groups to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.

Regarding the possibility of a combined flu and COVID-19 vaccine becoming available in Taiwan next year, Lin said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices under the Ministry of Health and Welfare would evaluate the vaccine's benefits and pricing before making recommendations.