Taipei:Taiwan recorded over 130,000 flu-related outpatient and emergency hospital visits last week, with expectations that the epidemic may ease by mid-October. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a warning that flu activity is increasing in several neighboring countries.
According to Focus Taiwan, the CDC's latest surveillance data indicated that 138,654 individuals sought medical care for influenza-like illnesses at outpatient clinics and emergency departments last week. This figure represents a 3.2 percent decrease from the previous week, primarily due to reduced clinic services during the recent holiday period.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin reported 87 new cases with severe influenza complications and 30 deaths last week. Laboratory monitoring data revealed that influenza A remains the predominant strain in circulation, with the A(H1N1) subtype accounting for 87.7 percent of cases.
Since the start of the 2025-2026 flu season, Taiwan has documented 1,673 severe cases and 334 deaths. Among these 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 the current flu season's vaccine.
CDC spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng noted that the flu epidemic is anticipated to fluctuate in the short term before beginning to decline around mid-October. However, he cautioned that weekly flu-related medical visits could increase to 150,000-160,000 cases before the downturn, emphasizing that the CDC will continue monitoring the situation.
The CDC also highlighted that flu activity is on the rise in China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with Hong Kong experiencing high levels and an increase in cases in the United States.
A tragic case involved a 2-year-old boy among the latest flu-related deaths. He died after developing a severe infection that led to acute necrotizing encephalitis. The child, from southern Taiwan, had no underlying medical conditions and had not received a flu vaccine this season. He initially developed a high fever and cough in early September, tested positive for influenza A, and was prescribed antiviral medication. Despite treatment, his condition worsened, leading to hospitalization and eventually death after two weeks.
Additionally, a follow-up investigation revealed that three family members living with the boy also developed similar symptoms and were confirmed to have influenza infections.
The CDC reminded the public that the first phase of Taiwan's publicly-funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination program for 2026 will commence on October 1. It urged high-risk groups to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.
Regarding a potential combined flu and COVID-19 vaccine in Taiwan next year, Lin stated that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices under the Ministry of Health and Welfare would assess the vaccine's benefits and pricing before making recommendations.