The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as the CDC) stated that, coinciding with the Lunar New Year when people gather, travel, and dine together, the risk of respiratory and intestinal infectious disease transmission increases. Currently, the predominant respiratory pathogen circulating in the community remains the influenza virus, while the overall COVID‑19 situation remains relatively low, and the diarrheal disease trend is rising. The public is urged to continue practicing frequent hand washing, observing cough etiquette, and maintaining food hygiene during the holiday; if feeling unwell, they should rest at home as much as possible to protect their own and their families' health.
According to the CDC's past monitoring data, emergency department influenza visits generally peak during the Lunar New Year period. The cumulative emergency influenza visits from New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the New Year for 2020–2025 were 39,749, 10,234, 8,277, 18,761, 30,590, and 32,953 respectively, with the highest number on the second day of the New Year. In particular, high‑risk groups such as persons aged 65 and over, infants and young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic disease histories should pay special attention to their health; if they experience dangerous signs such as difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, cyanosis (lack of oxygen), or altered consciousness, they should seek medical care promptly for proper treatment.
The CDC noted that in previous years, the number of acute diarrhoea visits during the Lunar New Year was higher than on regular days; recent diarrhoea clusters have been primarily caused by norovirus, which is highly contagious and can spread person‑to‑person via feces or vomit. The public should pay special attention, especially to protect infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, as symptoms can be more severe after infection. If vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms are suspected, one should rest at home until symptoms have resolved for at least 48 hours. Hospitality and food service operators should strengthen environmental cleaning and staff hygiene management, ensure fresh ingredients, avoid sharing knives and cutting boards between raw and cooked foods to prevent cross‑contamination, and anyone with suspected intestinal or related discomfort should avoid participating in food preparation.
The CDC explained that to meet the demand for infectious disease medical care during the Lunar New Year while maintaining emergency and critical care capacity and quality, it has coordinated and incentivized emergency‑responsibility hospitals to open special infectious disease clinics for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections from the first to the third day of the New Year (Feb 17–19). A total of 163 hospitals are participating, offering approximately 1,372 appointments (the latest information is subject to each county or city health bureau announcement). Relevant information can be found on the CDC website's 【Lunar New Year Epidemic Prevention Section / County and City Lunar New Year Infectious Disease Special Clinic Inquiry】( https://gov.tw/gvq ) and on each health bureau's website. When seeking medical care for symptoms, the public should first choose a nearby clinic or hospital outpatient department, implement patient triage, avoid overwhelming emergency departments, thereby preserving emergency capacity and preventing cross‑infection.
The CDC reminds that pandemic prevention should not be forgotten during the Lunar New Year. It recommends that the public continue personal hygiene measures, such as frequent hand washing with soap and proper cough etiquette. When entering crowded or poorly ventilated places, or when interacting with persons aged 65 and over or those with weakened immunity, a mask should be worn. Additionally, pay attention to food and environmental cleanliness, and together welcome the new year safely and healthily.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Epidemiology Management Office
