Taiwan CDC, in accordance with Paragraph 2, Article 8 of the Communicable Disease Control Act, has issued an update on the important international epidemics for the 8th week of this year, reminding people who plan to visit the affected areas to be aware of related disease prevention measures.
1. Asia:
(1) Avian influenza in Indonesia, Vietnam and China: WHO announced on February 20-22, 2008 that (A) The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has confirmed two new cases of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The first case is a 16-year-old male from Sragen district, Central Java Province who developed symptoms on February 3, was hospitalized on February 7, and died on February 10. Prior to his illness onset, the case was exposed to sick and dead poultry at his home, where he slaughtered a sick chicken. The second case is a 3-year-old boy from South Jakarta District, Jakarta Province who developed symptoms on February 3, was hospitalized on February 10, and died on February 15. The investigation team found that chickens and a pet bird had died in the neighborhood two weeks prior to the case’s onset of symptoms. (B) The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has confirmed a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case is a 27-year-old male from Ninh Nhat district, Ninh Binh Province. He developed symptoms on 3 February, was hospitalized on 12 February and died on 14 February. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his illness onset. (C) The Ministry of Health in China has confirmed two new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The first case is a 22-year-old male from Jianghua County, Yongzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province. He developed symptoms on January 16, was hospitalized on January 23, and died on January 24. Investigations into the source of his infection are ongoing. The second case is a 41-year-old male from Xixiangtang District of Nanning City of Guangxi Autonomous Region. He developed symptoms on February 12, was hospitalized on February 14, and died on February 20. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his illness onset. Of the 17 cases confirmed to date around the world, 15 have been fatal. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Avian influenza in animals in Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia: OIE announced that (A) Pakistan reported 2 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in North-West Frontier Province on January 18, 2008. So far, a total of 4 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Pakistan in 2008. (B) China reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a village of Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region on February 6, 2008. So far, a total of 2 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in China in 2008. (C) Saudi Arabia reported 24 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 5 villages of Ar Riyad Province between October 25, 2007 and January 29, 2008. In 2007, a total of 29 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in Saudi Arabia. So far, a total of 1 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been reported in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(3) Measles in Japan: The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced that during week 5 (January 28-February 3, 2008), a total of 436 measles cases were reported in Japan. Among those cases, 119 cases are aged between 10 to 14 years. A cumulative total of 1,164 measles cases were reported between weeks 1 and 5 in 2008. 436(38%) cases were reported from Kanagawa-ken. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. Europe:
Avian influenza in animals in Germany: OIE announced that Germany reported 41 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza between July 5 and August 15, 2007. In 2007, a total of 311 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in Germany. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
3. Africa:
Avian influenza in animals in Nigeria: OIE announced that Nigeria reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Anambra Province on October 1, 2007. This was the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Nigeria in 2007. A total of 121 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in 13 countries this year (2008), including 1 outbreak of lowly pathogenic avian influenza in 1 country. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.