TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Gastroenteritis cases have continued after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated the outbreak will peak in early October.

The CDC announced Tuesday (Sept. 24) that from Sept.15-21, there were approximately 147,000 medical visits for diarrhea, a 5.7% increase from the previous week, per CNA. A total of 123 cluster cases of diarrhea were reported, marking a five-year high for both medical visits and cluster reports.

CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said pathogen tests showed 47 positive cases, with norovirus detected in 28 cases, accounting for 60%, followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in 12 cases, making up 25.5%.

The gastroenteritis outbreak typically peaks around the Mid-Autumn Festival each year. CDC Deputy Director Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said that the peak of this diarrhea outbreak is expected to occur around early October. 

The main symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. During a gastrointestinal infection, Lo said individuals should rest adequately, stay hydrated with nutrients and electrolytes, and practice proper handwashing to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.

Symptoms can last from 1 to 10 days, depending on the type of pathogen and the individual's immunity. Children under five, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems tend to have more severe symptoms.

The CDC also reminded the public that recent cluster cases of diarrhea were mainly caused by norovirus, which is highly contagious and has an incubation period of 24 to 48 hours. Bacterial pathogens such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella were also detected, with an incubation period ranging from a few hours to five days.