The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) said today (the 25th) that schools at all levels are about to start the new term, and frequent interpersonal interactions on campus can increase the risk of transmission of enteroviruses, COVID‑19, influenza and other diseases. In addition, the recent hot weather with frequent rain raises the risk of dengue mosquito breeding. The CDC urges schools and parents to jointly implement cleanliness in school and home environments, strengthen education for students to wash hands frequently with soap, observe respiratory etiquette, and stay home when ill; at the same time, conduct thorough environmental inspections and implement “inspect, empty, clean, scrub” to prevent the spread of various infectious diseases on campus.
CDC monitoring data show that the domestic COVID‑19 situation is in a plateau phase. In week 33 (8/16‑8/22), there were 24,995 COVID‑19 emergency and outpatient visits, a 6.0% decrease from the previous week (8/9‑8/15). In the previous week (8/18‑8/24), 59 new domestic severe cases and 19 domestic deaths were reported. Since October 2025, a total of 480 domestic COVID‑19 cases with severe complications have been recorded, including 73 deaths. Severe cases were predominantly among persons aged 65 and over (73.5%) and those with chronic conditions (82.5%); 86.5% were unvaccinated for the current season’s COVID‑19 vaccine. In the past four weeks, the dominant variant among domestic cases has been PQ.16.1.1. As of August 24, about 1.823 million doses of the current season’s COVID‑19 vaccine have been administered nationwide, with approximately 111,000 doses remaining, which will be available for vaccination until September 9. The public who are eligible and in need are reminded to take the opportunity to get vaccinated promptly.
Regarding the influenza situation, in week 33 (8/16‑8/22) there were 94,340 influenza‑related emergency and outpatient visits, a slight 2.5% decline from the previous week. In the previous week (8/18‑8/24), 64 influenza cases with severe complications (59 H1N1, 5 H3N2) and 15 deaths (all H1N1) were reported. Laboratory surveillance indicates that the circulating influenza viruses in the community are mainly type A, with A‑H1N1 accounting for 69.7%. In the current (114‑115) influenza season, a total of 1,139 severe cases (540 H1N1, 491 H3N2, 18 untyped A, 90 type B) and 220 deaths (101 H1N1, 101 H3N2, 6 untyped A, 12 type B) have been recorded, with severe cases predominantly among persons aged 65 and over (63.8%) and those with chronic conditions (82.4%); 71.0% were unvaccinated for the current season’s influenza vaccine.
In the enterovirus situation, the number of enterovirus visits in week 33 (August 16‑22) was 6,546 in emergency and outpatient departments, similar to the previous week (6,646), indicating a stable recent trend. Laboratory surveillance over the past four weeks shows that the predominant community enterovirus is Coxsackie A6, followed by Enterovirus D68 and Coxsackie A16. In 2026 so far, six confirmed cases of severe complications from enterovirus infection (including one death) have been recorded: four infections with Enterovirus D68, and one each of Coxsackie A4 and Coxsackie A16. Regarding the dengue situation, as of August 24 this year, a total of 134 confirmed dengue cases have been reported, including seven domestic cases (all residing in Kaohsiung City) and 127 imported cases; the countries of infection for imported cases are mainly Indonesia (26), Vietnam (26) and the Maldives (16) and other Southeast and South Asian nations, a total lower than the same period in 2025 (152 cases).
The CDC reminds that with the start of school imminent, schools and child‑care institutions must strengthen education and implement all infection‑control measures. In crowded or poorly ventilated places, wearing a mask is recommended; the risk of enterovirus transmission remains, so parents and child‑care staff should stay vigilant and closely monitor the health of school‑age children and infants. If symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, lethargy, weakness or paralysis of limbs, muscle twitching (unexplained startle or sudden whole‑body muscle contraction), persistent vomiting, rapid breathing or accelerated heart rate—signs of severe enterovirus infection—appear, the child should be taken promptly to a major hospital for treatment. If fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms occur, watch for signs of severe influenza or COVID‑19 such as difficulty breathing, cyanosis, or rapid breathing. If sudden high fever, headache, retro‑orbital pain, muscle or joint pain, and rash—possible dengue symptoms—appear, also wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, inform the travel history, and stay home to rest. For related prevention information, visit the CDC’s global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Sensory Management Office
