2012/01/06 21:57:50
Taipei, Jan. 6 (CNA)
A total of 71 new cases of influenza with complications have been recorded, with four more fatalities, since Jan. 3, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Friday.
As of that day, health officials had confirmed 366 flu cases with complications, 18 of which were fatal.
The latest victims were a 5-year-old boy in Taoyuan County, a 62-year-old in Chiayi County, an 85-year-old woman in New Taipei and a 74-year-old man in Miaoli County, all of whom died of complications after contracting Type B or Type AH3 influenza.
None of them had been vaccinated, the CDC noted.
The CDC said that even though the number of flu cases for the period was half of the same period a year ago, there was still a 5 percent mortality rate.
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public that if they are infected with the flu virus, they should stay at home and avoid public places, especially those at high risk of developing flu-related complications, such as infants, toddlers, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases.
When symptoms appear, including fast or labored breathing, bluish or gray skin or lips, chest pain, low blood pressure, thick or blood-streaked sputum and fever lasting for 48 hours or more, patients should seek immediate treatment at hospitals, the DOH noted.
A total of 1,727 special influenza clinics have been set up nationwide to fight the virus. (By Chen Ching-fang and Nell Shen) ENDITEM/J
http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_ ... 1201060039
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