Taipei: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced a significant rise in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) across Taiwan, with around 139,000 visits to emergency departments and outpatient clinics reported last week. This marks the highest number for the same period over the past ten flu seasons.

According to Focus Taiwan, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Kuo Hung-wei revealed that these figures were recorded between January 5 and January 11. Additionally, 10 influenza-related deaths occurred from January 7 to the previous Monday, including a teenage boy from southern Taiwan who had not been vaccinated against the flu this season.

With ILI cases on the rise, CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-huai predicts that the flu epidemic will peak around the Lunar New Year in late January. Weekly visits to medical facilities could potentially surpass 150,000. Tseng has urged the public to get vaccinated against the flu promptly.

In another development, the CDC reported Taiwan's youngest severe COVID-19 case since the pandemic began. A premature baby girl under six months old remains under observation in the intensive care unit (ICU). From January 7 to Monday, 10 domestic severe COVID-19 cases were recorded, down from the 15 reported the previous week, according to a CDC news release.

Among last week's cases was the premature baby from southern Taiwan, who exhibited atypical COVID-19 symptoms, including swelling in both legs, fever, and shortness of breath. CDC physician Lin Yung-ching stated that the infant tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the ICU. Due to her age, she was not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. After nearly a week in the hospital, her condition has stabilized but still necessitates ICU care.

Lin highlighted that the infant was cared for by family members who showed no COVID-19 symptoms. Although they were vaccinated, they had not received the latest vaccine targeting the JN.1 subvariant. Lin urged those living with infants or high-risk individuals to get vaccinated to "minimize the risk of cross-infection."