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China Times Updated: 2011/02/21 02:46
By Qiu Liying, Taipei
The recent flu outbreak has wreaked havoc, leading to a sharp increase in emergency room patients at major hospitals. One doctor expressed concern, stating, "This year's flu situation across Taiwan is dire—the most severe in my over 30 years of medical practice. Nearly four out of every ten families have been infected. In terms of flu-related deaths, over 80 people have died since last year, surpassing the more than 50 deaths during the SARS outbreak. The Department of Health must recognize the severity of the issue!"
Deputy Director-General of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Chou Jih-Haw, explained, "The flu and SARS have different transmission patterns and cannot be compared." However, he also emphasized that this year's flu peak coincided with continuous cold waves and damp weather, which contributed to the surge in cases. Additionally, following the experience of the previous year's major outbreak, doctors have heightened vigilance, leading to more proactive reporting and testing, which is reflected in the increased number of reported cases.
Since winter began, the flu has struck aggressively. According to CDC data, as of last Thursday, the death toll had exceeded 80, with severe cases soaring to over 1,500. In contrast, during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there were 44 deaths and 939 severe cases. This year's outbreak appears even more severe.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, Linkou Chang Gung Children's Hospital admitted numerous severe flu cases. Huang Yu-Cheng, director of the Infectious Diseases Department, noted that flu cases surged noticeably by late January. Over the holiday, five children under five were hospitalized due to severe lung infections, leading to pulmonary edema, blocked and necrotic blood vessels, and emergency surgeries requiring intensive care. He remarked, "This year is worse than any previous year."
Another hospital doctor expressed concern, stating that this year's flu outbreak is the most severe in his over 30 years of practice. Patients suffer from high fevers and prolonged coughs lasting up to a month, with many finding it unbearable. The death toll is even higher than during the SARS outbreak.
Huang Li-Min, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital, analyzed that this year's flu peak has declined more slowly than usual. The main reason is that H1N1 is a relatively new strain. After adapting throughout last year, the virus has become more familiar with human cell structures, increasing its virulence and pathogenicity. This explains why the new flu strain is gaining strength this year. Those without vaccination or antibodies are highly susceptible, fueling the outbreak.
CDC Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-Haw pointed out that during last year's H1N1 pandemic, nearly 5.7 million vaccine doses were administered within just one and a half months, creating herd immunity. This year, only 2.8 million seasonal flu vaccine doses have been given—half as many—making it inappropriate to compare last year's infection and death rates with this year's.
He emphasized that current monitoring of emergency and outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms shows a gradual decline in cases. The outbreak is expected to ease significantly by the end of February and return to normal levels in March.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 110221/ 4/ 2mra1. html
Winter Claims 80 Lives: Flu Outbreak Worse Than SARS
By Qiu Liying, Taipei
The recent flu outbreak has wreaked havoc, leading to a sharp increase in emergency room patients at major hospitals. One doctor expressed concern, stating, "This year's flu situation across Taiwan is dire—the most severe in my over 30 years of medical practice. Nearly four out of every ten families have been infected. In terms of flu-related deaths, over 80 people have died since last year, surpassing the more than 50 deaths during the SARS outbreak. The Department of Health must recognize the severity of the issue!"
Deputy Director-General of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Chou Jih-Haw, explained, "The flu and SARS have different transmission patterns and cannot be compared." However, he also emphasized that this year's flu peak coincided with continuous cold waves and damp weather, which contributed to the surge in cases. Additionally, following the experience of the previous year's major outbreak, doctors have heightened vigilance, leading to more proactive reporting and testing, which is reflected in the increased number of reported cases.
Since winter began, the flu has struck aggressively. According to CDC data, as of last Thursday, the death toll had exceeded 80, with severe cases soaring to over 1,500. In contrast, during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there were 44 deaths and 939 severe cases. This year's outbreak appears even more severe.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, Linkou Chang Gung Children's Hospital admitted numerous severe flu cases. Huang Yu-Cheng, director of the Infectious Diseases Department, noted that flu cases surged noticeably by late January. Over the holiday, five children under five were hospitalized due to severe lung infections, leading to pulmonary edema, blocked and necrotic blood vessels, and emergency surgeries requiring intensive care. He remarked, "This year is worse than any previous year."
Another hospital doctor expressed concern, stating that this year's flu outbreak is the most severe in his over 30 years of practice. Patients suffer from high fevers and prolonged coughs lasting up to a month, with many finding it unbearable. The death toll is even higher than during the SARS outbreak.
Huang Li-Min, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital, analyzed that this year's flu peak has declined more slowly than usual. The main reason is that H1N1 is a relatively new strain. After adapting throughout last year, the virus has become more familiar with human cell structures, increasing its virulence and pathogenicity. This explains why the new flu strain is gaining strength this year. Those without vaccination or antibodies are highly susceptible, fueling the outbreak.
CDC Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-Haw pointed out that during last year's H1N1 pandemic, nearly 5.7 million vaccine doses were administered within just one and a half months, creating herd immunity. This year, only 2.8 million seasonal flu vaccine doses have been given—half as many—making it inappropriate to compare last year's infection and death rates with this year's.
He emphasized that current monitoring of emergency and outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms shows a gradual decline in cases. The outbreak is expected to ease significantly by the end of February and return to normal levels in March.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 110221/ 4/ 2mra1. html