Taipei City Government

With flu cases soaring, Department of Health (DOH) convened a meeting comprising representatives of the City’s eight major medical centers on January 25 to examine the institutions’ preparedness against pandemic influenza on January 25.
 
According to statistics, Taipei saw a 13 percent increase of flu cases over the first three weeks of 2018. Between October 2017 and January 25, 2018, a total of 42 influenza cases with severe implications were reported, 40 of whom had not received vaccination against the disease. The flu activity is expected to remain high during the Chinese New Year.   


DOH Commissioner Huang Shier-chieg urged hospitals and medical institutions to strengthen response to the pandemic, activate facilitated diagnostic procedures, bolster influenza virus infection control, and ensure an adequate stock of antiviral medications for four weeks.
 
The type B influenza strain has been identified as the cause of the majority of confirmed cases, Dr. Li of Centers for Disease Control pointed out, adding that influenza A cases are also on the rise. He called upon the public to get a fee flu shot that can effectively prevent severe flu symptoms while reducing mortality rates attributed to the pandemic. 


DOH noted that the City still has about 10,000 free flu vaccines available at Taipei City Hospital affiliated clinics. Residents are advised to get immunized against the influenza pandemic.
 
For information regarding vaccine availability and medical services during the Chinese New Year, visit https://goo.gl/53xSJo (Chinese) or call DOH disease prevention hotline at 02-23753782.