Shiloh
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Source: http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1051909&lang=eng_news
Taiwan records two more A(H1N1) fatalities
Central News Agency
2009-09-08 09:59 PM
Taipei, Sept. 8 (CNA) Two more patients died Tuesday from influenza A(H1N1) , better known as swine flu, bringing to 10 the death toll from the new flu strain in Taiwan, according to health authorities.
One of the victims was a 41-year-old resident of a mental institution in Tainan County who suffered from minor mental disability, according to the Tainan County Health Bureau.
The man sought medical attention Aug. 30 with flu symptoms and was diagnosed Sept. 2 with swine flu. He died early Tuesday from respiratory failure triggered by pneumonia, the bureau said.
The other victim was a 58-year-old woman in Hualien County who suffered from various underlying chronic illnesses, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, said Lin Nan-yueh, chief of the Hualien County Health Bureau.
She sought medical attention Sept. 6 with abnormally fast breathing and was immediately given medication after being diagnosed.
However, she later developed multiple organ failure and died, Lin said.
Also that day, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a case of fetal death caused by influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Since the expectant mother was hospitalized four weeks ago when she was 24 weeks pregnant, the woman had been provided with various forms of emergency treatment such as ventilator assistance and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, CDC Director-General Steve Kuo said.
Her baby, however, died of hypoxia, while the woman remained in an intensive care unit, Kuo said.
Meanwhile, data provided by the Ministry of Education shows that on Sept. 7, the number of students with swine flu totaled 5,474 around the country, 3,138 of whom were attending elementary schools.
A total of 195, or 2.4 percent, of schools were closed, and 251, or 0.15 percent, of classes were suspended on that day, the ministry said.
In light of the escalating number of cases, the Central Epidemics Command Center decided that day that the use of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu will be funded by the government, retroactive to Aug. 15.
Before this date, only those affected by cluster infections, hospitalized patients, and those with dangerous symptoms were eligible for government-funded Tamiflu. The use of Tamiflu for patients with mild symptoms, however, is covered by National Health Insurance.
The change is aimed at preventing a squeeze on the insurance program as the number of swine flu patients continues to increase.
(By Y.F. Low)
Taiwan records two more A(H1N1) fatalities
Central News Agency
2009-09-08 09:59 PM
Taipei, Sept. 8 (CNA) Two more patients died Tuesday from influenza A(H1N1) , better known as swine flu, bringing to 10 the death toll from the new flu strain in Taiwan, according to health authorities.
One of the victims was a 41-year-old resident of a mental institution in Tainan County who suffered from minor mental disability, according to the Tainan County Health Bureau.
The man sought medical attention Aug. 30 with flu symptoms and was diagnosed Sept. 2 with swine flu. He died early Tuesday from respiratory failure triggered by pneumonia, the bureau said.
The other victim was a 58-year-old woman in Hualien County who suffered from various underlying chronic illnesses, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, said Lin Nan-yueh, chief of the Hualien County Health Bureau.
She sought medical attention Sept. 6 with abnormally fast breathing and was immediately given medication after being diagnosed.
However, she later developed multiple organ failure and died, Lin said.
Also that day, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a case of fetal death caused by influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Since the expectant mother was hospitalized four weeks ago when she was 24 weeks pregnant, the woman had been provided with various forms of emergency treatment such as ventilator assistance and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, CDC Director-General Steve Kuo said.
Her baby, however, died of hypoxia, while the woman remained in an intensive care unit, Kuo said.
Meanwhile, data provided by the Ministry of Education shows that on Sept. 7, the number of students with swine flu totaled 5,474 around the country, 3,138 of whom were attending elementary schools.
A total of 195, or 2.4 percent, of schools were closed, and 251, or 0.15 percent, of classes were suspended on that day, the ministry said.
In light of the escalating number of cases, the Central Epidemics Command Center decided that day that the use of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu will be funded by the government, retroactive to Aug. 15.
Before this date, only those affected by cluster infections, hospitalized patients, and those with dangerous symptoms were eligible for government-funded Tamiflu. The use of Tamiflu for patients with mild symptoms, however, is covered by National Health Insurance.
The change is aimed at preventing a squeeze on the insurance program as the number of swine flu patients continues to increase.
(By Y.F. Low)