Flu Threat Expected to Heighten as Holiday Nears

January 21, 2012

Three more people in Taiwan died from flu complications yesterday, raising the total number of flu-related deaths in the country since last July to 31.

One of the three most recent victims was a 34-year-old Kaohsiung resident who had a body mass index of 49 (the normal range is 18-24), according to Chou Jih-haw, deputy director-general of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The man, who died within three weeks after first coming down with flu symptoms, had not been vaccinated against influenza, and it was unclear whether he had been prescribed and treated with Tamiflu, the official said.

Excessively overweight people are considered to be among those most vulnerable to the flu, Chou said.

The other two who succumbed to flu complications yesterday were a 77-year-old Pingtung County resident, who had been vaccinated against the flu, and an 82-year-old New Taipei resident who had not been vaccinated.

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Flu Threat Expected to Heighten as Holiday Nears