TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control said flu season has lasted longer than expected, with 108,000 outpatient and emergency room visits last week.

At a press conference on Tuesday, CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-huai (曾淑慧) said the lingering epidemic is related to the recent cold front. The number of cases has exhibited a downward trend, but ER cases remain high and within the epidemic threshold, per a press release. 

According to CDC data, from March 11 to 17, there were 45 new severe flu cases and 15 deaths. Most new cases were caused by H1N1 infection. 

During this year’s flu season (Oct. 1-March 17), there were 1,152 severe cases (1,075 cases of Type A H1N1, 54 cases of Type A H3N2, nine cases of unclassified type A, and 14 cases of Type B).

Individuals over 65 accounted for 58% of cases. This age group reported 254 deaths (243 cases of Type A H1N1, 8 cases of Type A H3N2, and three cases of Type B).

The CDC said global influenza has shown a downward trend, but epidemic levels continue in the US and Canada. Type A H1N1 is prevalent in most countries, H3N2 and H1N1 are co-prevalent in the US, Type B is prevalent in South Korea, and H3 and B are co-prevalent in Europe.

The CDC reminded the public to pay attention to flu symptoms and seek medical attention if needed.