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 14th 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 and Pakistan: WHO announced that (A) The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced three new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection. The first case is a 15-year-old male student from Subang District, West Java Province who developed symptoms on March 19, was hospitalized on March 22, and died on March 26. The second case is an 11-year-old female student from Bekasi City, West Java Province who developed symptoms on March 19, was hospitalized on March 23, and died on March 28. The third case is a 21-month-old girl from Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra Province who developed symptoms on March 17, and was hospitalized on March 22. She is presently recovering in hospital. These three cases are not linked epidemiologically. The source of infection for them is still under investigation. Of the 132 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 107 have been fatal. (B) Two additional H5N1 cases were confirmed by serological testing, thus providing final H5N1 infection test results on a previously reported family cluster in Peshawar, Pakistan in November 2007. The preliminary risk assessment found no evidence of sustained or community human to human transmission. Of the 3 cases confirmed to date in Pakistan, 1 has been fatal. Of the 27 cases confirmed to date around the world in 2008, 21 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 Vietnam and Korea: OIE announced that (A) Vietnam reported 11 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 11 farms in 5 Provinces between February 28 and March 25, 2008. So far, a total of 38 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Vietnam in 2008. (B) Korea reported the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 1 farm in Kimje, Yongji-myun, Cholla-Bukdo Province on April 1, 2008. This is the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been reported in Korea in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(3) Influenza in Hong Kong: HK Centre for Health Protection announced on April 2, 2008 that 4.9‰ ILI consultation rate among general outpatient clinics, and 76.1‰ ILI consultation rate among sentinel private doctors from March 23 to March 29, 2008, which are lower than that reported last week. During this period, a total of 239 specimens were tested positive for influenza virus, which is lower than that reported last week. (341 specimens) To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(4) Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Thailand and Singapore: (A) The Ministry of Health of Thailand announced on March 28, 2008 that during week 12 (March 16-March 22, 2008), a total of 93 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) were reported in Thailand. 36 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. So far, a cumulative total of 5,642 HFM cases including 1 death have been reported in 2008, while 771 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. The majority of the cases, 957 cases, were reported in Bangkok. (B) The Ministry of Health of Singapore announced on April 1, 2008 that during week 13(March 23-March 29, 2008), a total of 702 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) were reported in Singapore, which is higher than that reported (585 cases) last week and that reported (385 cases) during the same period in 2007. So far, a cumulative total of 4,423 HFM cases have been reported in 2008. 2,865 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. Among those cases, 21% are tested positive for EV-71 virus and 60% cases are children under 5-year-old. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. Europe:
(1) Avian influenza in animals in Switzerland: OIE announced that Switzerland reported the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 1 wild bird at Sempach Lake in Oberkirch, Luzer Province on March 22, 2008. This is the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that has been reported in Switzerland in 2008. So far, a total of 231 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in 16 countries this year. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Measles and Pertussis in England: The Health Protection Agency of England announced that (A) during week 11 (March 8-March 14, 2008), a total of 77 measles cases were reported in England and Wales. So far, a cumulative total of 777 measles cases have been reported in 2008. 480 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. (B) during week 11 (March 8-March 14, 2008), a total of 29 pertussis cases were reported in England and Wales. The number of pertussis caes has been on the rise for the third consecutive week. So far, a cumulative total of 227 pertussis cases have been reported in 2008, reflecting a 57% increase over the same period last year (145 cases). To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.