Target groups for state-funded anti-flu virus medicine expanded

2011/09/26 Taipei, Sept. 26 (CNA) The list of patients, who suffer from influenza or have developed flu-like symptoms and therefore are entitled to government-financed anti-virus medication, will be expanded for a limited period between Dec. 1 and March 31, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced Monday. The additional targets will include patients who have suffered from high fever and flu-like symptoms for at least 48 hours, and those who develop symptoms after family members, work colleagues or classmates have been diagnosed as possible-flu patients, the CDC said in a statement. The adjustment was brought up as flu season approaches. The government is trying to prevent serious flu infection and death. Clinical documents show that anti-flu medicine can be effective if taken within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, according to the CDC. Currently, government-financed anti-flu medicine is available for eight groups of patients, including patients who have been diagnosed with complicated influenza, pregnant women who need the medication, and the patients that develop dangerous flu symptoms. Other categories are flu-like patients who have been suffering from immunodeficiency, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and illness on the liver and kidney; flu-like patients suffering from obesity (BMI >= 35); confirmed flu-like cluster cases; patients suspected of being infected by H5N1 flu virus; and patients who have been in close contact with people who are potential H5N1 patients, possible H5N1 patients, or confirmed H5N1 patients. The CDC pointed out that currently, there are 1,174 medical care institutes around Taiwan that are equipped with state-funded anti-flu medicine. It also noted that as part of efforts to stem possible flu outbreaks, the government has prepared effective doses of anti-flu medicine for 25 percent of the population.