Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
[Reporter Wang Changmin / Taipei Report]
Influenza claims another life! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Department of Health has announced three new cases of severe influenza, including a 78-year-old man from Pingtung County with poor cardiopulmonary function who died one week after the onset of flu symptoms. This marks the sixth death this flu season and the first fatality among those who had been vaccinated.
CDC spokesperson Chou Jih-haw stated that the elderly man is the only one among the six deaths this season who had been vaccinated but still succumbed to the illness. The total number of severe cases this season has reached 20, with the most recent three deaths all attributed to the H1N1 virus. He noted that deaths following vaccination are rare, with a similar case occurring two years ago.
At the end of last year, the CDC detected signs of mutation in the H1N1 virus strain, with its prevalence surging to 50%. The vaccine's effectiveness against it has declined, and resistance to Tamiflu has reached 100%. Could the elderly man's death despite vaccination be related to the virus mutation reducing the vaccine's efficacy? Chou Jih-haw explained that the vaccine still offers protection, but the rapid deterioration of the man's condition was primarily due to his frail health and multiple chronic illnesses.
The CDC's investigation revealed that the elderly man's family members also exhibited cold symptoms. Combined with his long-standing poor cardiopulmonary function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and hypertension, his condition worsened to pneumonia after developing a fever on February 4, despite two medical consultations. He experienced breathing difficulties and was admitted to the intensive care unit but unfortunately passed away on the 11th. Chou Jih-haw emphasized that this highlights the need for frail elderly individuals with chronic illnesses to isolate themselves from family members showing cold symptoms to avoid infection.
Chou Jih-haw added that among the three new severe cases, apart from the deceased elderly man, the other two had not been vaccinated but exhibited much milder symptoms. A 70-year-old woman from Taipei County was hospitalized for pneumonia but has shown significant improvement and remains under observation. A 4-year-old girl from Kaohsiung City presented with high fever and vomiting at the onset, diagnosed with suspected encephalitis, but fortunately, her condition did not worsen, and she has since recovered and been discharged.
Chou Jih-haw noted that as the weather warms up, the flu epidemic is gradually subsiding. Although the recent school reopening has brought children together, it is not expected to trigger a significant outbreak. The epidemic is predicted to return to normal levels after March, but the public should remain vigilant.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……9/ new/ feb/ 16/ today- life2. htm
First Case in Years: Flu Vaccine Fails to Prevent Fatality
Influenza claims another life! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Department of Health has announced three new cases of severe influenza, including a 78-year-old man from Pingtung County with poor cardiopulmonary function who died one week after the onset of flu symptoms. This marks the sixth death this flu season and the first fatality among those who had been vaccinated.
CDC spokesperson Chou Jih-haw stated that the elderly man is the only one among the six deaths this season who had been vaccinated but still succumbed to the illness. The total number of severe cases this season has reached 20, with the most recent three deaths all attributed to the H1N1 virus. He noted that deaths following vaccination are rare, with a similar case occurring two years ago.
At the end of last year, the CDC detected signs of mutation in the H1N1 virus strain, with its prevalence surging to 50%. The vaccine's effectiveness against it has declined, and resistance to Tamiflu has reached 100%. Could the elderly man's death despite vaccination be related to the virus mutation reducing the vaccine's efficacy? Chou Jih-haw explained that the vaccine still offers protection, but the rapid deterioration of the man's condition was primarily due to his frail health and multiple chronic illnesses.
The CDC's investigation revealed that the elderly man's family members also exhibited cold symptoms. Combined with his long-standing poor cardiopulmonary function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and hypertension, his condition worsened to pneumonia after developing a fever on February 4, despite two medical consultations. He experienced breathing difficulties and was admitted to the intensive care unit but unfortunately passed away on the 11th. Chou Jih-haw emphasized that this highlights the need for frail elderly individuals with chronic illnesses to isolate themselves from family members showing cold symptoms to avoid infection.
Chou Jih-haw added that among the three new severe cases, apart from the deceased elderly man, the other two had not been vaccinated but exhibited much milder symptoms. A 70-year-old woman from Taipei County was hospitalized for pneumonia but has shown significant improvement and remains under observation. A 4-year-old girl from Kaohsiung City presented with high fever and vomiting at the onset, diagnosed with suspected encephalitis, but fortunately, her condition did not worsen, and she has since recovered and been discharged.
Chou Jih-haw noted that as the weather warms up, the flu epidemic is gradually subsiding. Although the recent school reopening has brought children together, it is not expected to trigger a significant outbreak. The epidemic is predicted to return to normal levels after March, but the public should remain vigilant.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……9/ new/ feb/ 16/ today- life2. htm