The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control（Taiwan CDC）hosted the Medical Seminar on H5N1 Influenza in Kaohsiung City and Taipei City, on November 22 and 23,2008. Two experts from Indonesia and Vietnam were invited to share their clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment for human case of H5N1 infection, exchanging information with participating domestic experts to improve Taiwan epidemic prevention system’s responding capacity.

Since the first human case of avian influenza A/H5N1 was reported at the end of 2003, it has been five years. The avian influenza epidemic has spread from Asia to Africa and Europe, affecting more than 15 countries. The mortality rate is over 60%. Among the countries affected by avian influenza, Indonesia and Vietnam have accumulated abundant clinical experience treating H5N1 patients. Therefore, Taiwan CDC invited two experts from the two countries to participate in the Medical Seminar on H5N1 Influenza. Dr. Sila Wiweka is the vice chairman of the Avian Flu Prevention Committee in Sulianti Saroso National Refferal for Infectious Disease Hospital in Indonesia, and Dr. Phan Van Tu is the Deputy Chief of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology Responsible for Enteric and Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute in Vietnam.

In order to respond to any possible H5N1 influenza outbreaks, Taiwan CDC has implemented the related preparation measures. One of which is the establishment of communicable disease control medical networks in 2003, designating the responding hospitals in charge of treating priority communicable disease patients, to secure the integrity of the medical system during infectious disease outbreaks.Additionally, the communicable disease control medical networks can facilitate cross-regional support during an epidemic. Through sharing clinical experiences with the two experts, this seminar has further enriched and strengthened Taiwanese medical personnel’s understanding of the clinical treatment of H5N1 influenza.