epidemic 結果共31筆

Discover insights from an online seminar hosted by the Swedish Institute for Security and Development Policy, advocating for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Learn about the discussions on Taiwan’s role in global health and the establishment of the Stockholm Taiwan Center to promote Taiwan’s international presence.

Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chien-jen expresses disappointment over Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Assembly, emphasizing the loss to global health cooperation and urging for inclusion based on Taiwan’s healthcare achievements.

Taiwan faces an enterovirus epidemic with a significant increase in cases, as well as a rise in dengue fever cases, both domestic and imported, primarily from Southeast Asian countries. The CDC emphasizes the importance of good hygiene and medical attention for symptoms, especially ahead of Mother’s Day.

A suspected food poisoning incident at a Taipei department store restaurant has caused eight people to feel unwell, resulting in one fatality. The Taipei City Government’s Department of Health has ordered the restaurant to stop serving food, with samples sent for central testing to identify the cause. The severity of the situation has prompted discussions with toxicology experts, while the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control are actively investigating.

Taiwan’s CDC reports seven measles cases, highlighting the risk of a spring outbreak despite a high vaccination rate. Health officials stress the importance of vaccination, especially for travelers to affected regions.

The Ministry of Labor’s Workforce Development Agency Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli Regional Branch organized five job fairs in Taiwan in February, with a total of 150 companies offering 6,000 high-quality vacancies. The job fairs, held in Taoyuan, Zhongli, Hsinchu, and Miaoli, attracted a significant number of companies and job seekers. Notably, the Zhubei Civil Sports Center hosted a job fair on February 22, featuring 52 companies offering 2,400 job vacancies, including positions such as electronic engineer, product engineer, safety engineer, and Japanese translator. Some of these roles boasted top salaries of up to NT$70,000. Another job fair with a manufacturing theme took place in Miaoli on the same day, where the highest salary on offer was NT$60,000. Three job fairs were held in Taoyuan, with the highest salary reaching an impressive NT$100,000. The Director General of the agency, Lai Chia-Jen, highlighted the branch’s commitment to addressing job shortages and promoting employment in the post-epidemic period. To encourage employment, the branch also extended employment incentives for project labor shortages.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a high flu epidemic, with 127,000 emergency visits due to influenza-like illnesses caused by adenoviruses and influenza viruses. In the span of a week, there were 42 new severe flu complications, including cases of Type A H1N1, Type A H3N2, and Type B. The patients ranged in age from less than 10 years old to over 90 years old, with 30 cases where influenza vaccinations were not received. Eleven deaths were reported during this period, with victims from Type A H1N1, Type A H3N2, and Type B influenza. Eight of the fatalities did not receive flu vaccinations, and the youngest death was a 7-year-old girl from the north, making her the youngest fatality of 2024.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for their mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic during a live presidential debate. Hou specifically targeted DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, accusing him of neglect during the outbreak. Hou further claimed that Lai focused on issues surrounding his family home’s illegal expansion claim instead of caring for the public. As the former mayor of New Taipei City, Hou stated that any pandemic-related advice proposed to the central government was denied. He also criticized the DPP government for shortages of anti-epidemic supplies and food safety issues. Hou emphasized the need to establish a special investigation team to probe malpractices in the DPP’s pandemic approach. Additionally, he questioned Lai’s advocacy for Taiwanese independence, suggesting that it could escalate cross-strait tensions. Hou criticized Lai’s tactics as underestimating the intelligence of the Taiwanese people and disrespecting the Republic of China (Taiwan). He portrayed Lai as ungrateful and not trustworthy for Taiwan.

A pivotal study reveals that dengue fever can rapidly spread through a transmission method similar to needle-sharing in infectious diseases like HBV, HCB, and HIV. The study, conducted by Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes in collaboration with the Department of Health and Kaohsiung City Government, analyzed the timing of infections during the 2015 outbreak. They found that in 85% of household cases, symptoms occurred within three days of each other, contradicting the previously believed incubation period for virus transmission. Using animal models, researchers confirmed that when mosquitoes bite an infected animal and then promptly bite another, the virus can transfer via the mosquito’s proboscis, bypassing the once-considered essential eight-day extrinsic incubation period. This finding explains the rapid spread of the 2015 dengue epidemic in Taiwan and raises concerns for the recent spike in cases. The study, published in the esteemed journal eBiomedicine, a Lancet subsidiary, in August 2023, also involved international researchers from the University of California, Nagoya University, Tsinghua University, and National Taiwan University.

The College Entrance Examination Center (CEEC) has announced that the second session of the high school English listening test will take place this Saturday, with 35,986 registered candidates. The test will be conducted in the morning across 30 districts, 44 zones, and 1,067 venues. Test-takers are advised to check their personal examination information and test location layout on the CEEC’s website. Valid identification, such as an ID card or passport, must be brought to the exam. Mask-wearing is optional for most test-takers, but those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have respiratory symptoms must wear a mask throughout the examination. Candidates causing noise may be relocated to a reserve venue to avoid disturbing others.

Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns of a potential flu epidemic around the Lunar New Year due to an increase in Type B influenza infections. Over 6 million government-funded flu vaccines have been administered, with a vaccination rate exceeding 50% among senior citizens. Several counties have reached the target vaccination rate of 55% for seniors. Influenza outpatient and emergency department visits have shown a recent downward trend, but adenoviruses remain the leading respiratory pathogens. H3N2 is more prevalent than H1N1, with a rising proportion of Type B influenza cases. There have been 14 new severe influenza complications and three additional deaths, mainly affecting individuals with chronic illnesses who were unvaccinated. As of December 11, 6.098 million public-funded flu vaccine doses have been administered, achieving a vaccination rate of 50.4%. Officials urge eligible citizens to promptly get vaccinated, as approximately 500,000 doses of government-funded flu vaccine remain.

Taiwanese seniors over 65 can now receive free pneumococcal vaccinations amid a respiratory disease outbreak. The CDC encourages vaccinations against adenoviruses, mycoplasma pneumoniae, the COVID-19 XBB variant, and influenza to bolster the country’s defenses.

Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen has announced that mainland Chinese students who have completed their academic registration for six months will be included in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) program, similar to foreign and overseas Taiwanese students. The new policy is set to take effect on Feb. 1, 2024. Chen emphasized the universal value and fundamental human right of health, and highlighted that the new policy will aid in epidemic prevention efforts. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will announce the new regulations in accordance with the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act. Chen also urged related government bodies to prepare administrative procedures and effectively communicate with mainland students. Currently, overseas Taiwanese and foreign students who have resided in Taiwan for more than six months with a residence certificate can apply for NHI coverage through their schools. Foreign students are required to pay NT$826 per person per month for their NHI package.

DPP chairman and presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has proposed including mainland Chinese students in Taiwan’s healthcare system, citing medical human rights and the strengthening of the epidemic prevention system. Lai’s plan, which treats mainland Chinese students as international students and includes them in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, has faced objections from some party legislators. However, Lai has stated that after providing necessary clarification, fellow party members have generally accepted the idea. Lai has emphasized the human rights perspective of his proposal and distinguished it from criticism of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) for nominating a legislator connected with China. Lai believes that including mainland Chinese students in the NHI system will make the healthcare network more comprehensive, especially after three years of pandemic prevention efforts.

Taiwan prioritizes 65+ for Moderna vaccine, offers test kits and vouchers. Hospitals see a 30% increase in patients. Doctors urge prompt antiviral medication for flu. Elderly advised to get COVID and flu vaccines, with pneumococcal vaccine later.

Taiwan faces a concerning spike in dengue fever cases, with Tainan bearing the brunt of over 80% of the 1,579 cases reported this year. As the nation grapples with rising temperatures and typhoon season, authorities intensify efforts to curb the disease’s spread. Learn about the factors driving the outbreak and essential prevention measures.

Taipei’s Mayor Chiang Wan-an oversees alley disinfection after the city reports its first local dengue fever case in three years. Learn more about the preventive measures and the patient’s travel history.

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on Monday (Feb. 20) that the indoor mask mandate has been lifted. 

Taiwan has implemented various measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, and with the infection rate becoming more stable, the country is set to relax restrictions. 

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) delayed the announcement of whether indoor face mask mandates could be lifted on Thursday (Feb. 2).

Food delivery platforms in Taiwan not only deliver food but also a wide range of products. 

The epidemic continues to spread in mainland China, and according to the Commander of the Central Epidemic Command Center, Victor Wang, their situation may reach its peak in 2 months. As many will be traveling back to Taiwan from the mainland for Chinese New Year, the CECC is urging children to get vaccinated or re-vaccinated. 

Taiwan partially lifted its mask mandates on Thursday (Dec. 1), allowing the public to go mask-free while outdoors or in open areas. 

The election day is approaching fast, and in order to vote, citizens have to be COVID-19 negative, leading some to worry that some confirmed patients didn’t reported their symptoms to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in order to be able to vote.

As the pandemic situation gradually stabilizes in Taiwan, more and more home-buyers are seeking out apartments with ventilation systems that connect to the outside and separate restrooms for its residents.