TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control warned Tuesday that the influenza season has yet to peak ahead of the Lunar New Year, the first time since 2013, raising concerns of a larger outbreak fueled by holiday travel and family gatherings.

According to CDC data, there were 116,281 outpatient and emergency room visits for influenza-like illnesses during the previous week (Jan. 25–31), marking a 3.2% increase from the prior week and continuing a slow upward trend. During the same period, 25 new cases of severe influenza complications and one death were reported, per a press release.

Lab data showed H3N2 remained the predominant strain, followed by H1N1. So far this flu season, Taiwan has recorded 497 severe cases, including 361 H3N2 cases, 120 H1N1 cases, 14 influenza B cases, and two unidentified influenza A cases. A total of 94 deaths have been reported, the CDC said.

CDC Spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said influenza B cases have risen from 17% to 24% over the past two weeks, signaling a possible transition from influenza A to influenza B. He said such a shift could prolong the flu season and increase patient numbers, though the trend requires further observation, per National Education Radio.

As of Monday, 6.7 million doses of publicly funded influenza vaccine had been administered, with about 110,000 doses remaining nationwide. The CDC urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible, noting that it takes about two weeks to develop sufficient protection and that supplies are limited.

The CDC said individuals over age 65 accounted for 61% of severe influenza cases, while 83% had a history of chronic illness. About 86% of patients with severe complications had not received an influenza vaccine this season.

Globally, influenza activity remains high, with rising numbers in neighboring South Korea and Japan. South Korea is mainly seeing H3N2 cases, while Japan is experiencing co-circulation of H3N2 and H1N1. Influenza activity in Hong Kong and China remains at moderate to high levels, the CDC said.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s COVID activity remains low. In the fourth week of the year, there were 941 outpatient and emergency room visits related to COVID, a 9.1% decrease from the previous week. Two new local cases of severe COVID complications were reported last week, with no deaths.

Since October, Taiwan has recorded 61 local cases of severe COVID complications, including six deaths. Most severe cases involved people aged 65 and older or those with chronic illnesses, and 93% had not received a COVID vaccine this season, the CDC said.

Globally, COVID positivity rates have slightly declined overall but are rising in Southeast Asia. The epidemic is increasing in China and Japan, declining in Hong Kong, Canada, and Europe, and fluctuating in Australia. The XFG variant is currently dominant in Taiwan, while NB.1.8.1 is most common in neighboring regions, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.

Health officials urged continued precautions against both influenza and COVID, including frequent handwashing and proper cough etiquette. People experiencing fever or cough were advised to wear masks and rest at home, while those with severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties, chest pain, or altered consciousness were urged to seek immediate medical care.

The CDC also noted that from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28, eligibility for publicly funded influenza antiviral drugs has been expanded. Patients who meet clinical criteria determined by a physician can receive the medication without rapid testing, allowing earlier treatment to reduce the risk of severe complications.