The nineteenth meeting held by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) was convened by the new commander of CECC, Minister of Health Chih-Liang Yaung, despite Typhoon Morakot.Personnel from all government agencies have participated in the meeting to discuss topics, including members for a consultation team, relevant response measures for the 21st Summer Deaflympics, and disease control measures when schools reopen after the summer break.

Commander Yaung indicated that CECC had proposed a list of members for the consultation team pursuant to the instructions of the Premier of the Executive Yuan Liu.The list of members includes Honorary Professor at National Taiwan University, Professor Chin-Yun Lee, the President of Academia Sinica, Dr. Chi-Huey Wong, Member of Acadmia Sinica, Professor Chien-Jen Chen, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, Professor Fu-Yuan Huang, and the President of the Taiwan Medical Association, Dr. Ming-Been. Lee. The list will be submitted to the Executive Yuan immediately for approval by the Premier of the Executive Yuan Liu.

On the other hand, the Taipei City Government presented the relevant response measures formulated for the 21st Summer Deaflympics to be held in Taipei at the meeting.Further, in terms of disease control resources such as antivirals, CECC will provide the national stockpile during a shortage emergency.

In regard to the policy to include antivirals and fees associated with the laboratory examination for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in the National Health Insurance coverage, CECC stated that Tamiflu would be included in the coverage beginning August 15, 2009.Patients who fit the case definition of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and are tested positive for the virus will be given the antiviral to reduce the occurrence of complications. Fees associated with the rapid diagnostic test for detecting pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus will be covered by the government budget.

CECC also stated that the national standards for implementing school closure and other disease control measures when schools reopen after the summer break had also been discussed at the meeting and would be publicly announced in mid-August.