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 5th 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: WHO announced on January 29, January 30 and February 1, 2008 that the Ministry of Health in Indonesia had confirmed an additional four cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. All of these cases were fatal. There is no evidence of an epidemiological link between the cases. The first case, a 31-year-old female from East Jakarta, Jakarta Province, developed symptoms on January 18, was hospitalized on January 22, and died on January 31. The investigation indicated that the case visited a wet market where live poultry are sold three days prior to symptom onset. The second case, a 9-year-old male from Depok Municipality, West Java, developed symptoms on January 16, was hospitalized on January 23, and died on January 27. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate that the case lived next door to a wet market where live poultry are sold. The third case, a 32-year-old male from Tangerang Municipality, Banten Province, developed symptoms on January 17, was hospitalized on January 24, and died on January 29. Investigations into the source of his infection are ongoing. The fourth case, a 23-year-old female from East Jakarta, Jakarta Province, developed symptoms on January 19, was hospitalized on January 24, and died on January 27. Investigations into the source of her infection are ongoing. Of the 124 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 102 have been fatal. Of the 8 cases confirmed to date around the world, 8 have been fatal. Since 2003, of the 357 confirmed cases in 14 countries, 225 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, Thailand and China: (A) OIE announced that Vietnam reported 5 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2 villages and 3 poultry farms between January 4 and January 21, 2008. So far, a total of 6 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Vietnam in 2008. (B) OIE announced that Thailand reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a village of Phichit Province on January 8, 2008. So far, a total of 2 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Thailand in 2008. (C) OIE announced that China reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Gongga, Tibet on January 21, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in China 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 on January 25, 2008 that measles had been included in the notifiable infectious disease surveillance beginning 2008.During week 1-2, 2008, 55 cases and 90 cases were reported in Japan. As of January 13, 2008, a total of 145 measles cases were reported, including 136 indigenous cases, 1 imported case from the Philippines, 1 suspected imported case from Korea, and 7 were originated from unknown infection sources. Among the indigenous cases, 32 cases (22.1%) are aged between 10 to 19 years, and only 18 cases (12.4%) were vaccinated. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. European Region:
Avian influenza in animals in Bulgaria: OIE announced that Bulgaria reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Sumen Province in February 1, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Bulgaria in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
3. Africa Region:
Avian influenza in animals in Egypt: OIE announced that Egypt reported 5 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 4 villages and 1 poultry farm between January 16 and January 22, 2008. So far, a total of 46 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Egypt in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.