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 12th 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 Vietnam: WHO announced on March 18, 2008 that the Ministry of Health in Vietnam has confirmed a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case is an 11-year-old male from Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam Province. He developed symptoms on March 4, was hospitalized on March 9, and died on March 14. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his illness. Of the 106 cases confirmed to date in Vietnam, 52 have been fatal. Of the 24 cases confirmed to date around the world, 19 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 Turkey, Bangladesh and China: OIE announced that (A) Turkey reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Edirne Province on March 9, 2008. So far, a total of 7 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Turkey in 2008. (B) Bangladesh reported 65 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza between December 23, 2007 and February 9, 2008. In 2007, a total of 67 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in Bangladesh. So far, a total of 62 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in 2008. (C) China reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Jinhua market, Liwan, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province on March 16, 2008. So far, a total of 4 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in China in 2008. A total of 215 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in 14 countries this year. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(3) Influenza and EV-71 in Hong Kong: HK Centre for Health Protection announced on March 19 and March 20, 2008 that (A) there were six child patients in hospitals who were tested positive for influenza, and 12.3‰ ILI consultations rate among general outpatient clinics, which has been on the rise for the ninth consecutive week to increase. 76.1‰ ILI consultations rate among sentinel private doctors, which has been on the rise for the fifth consecutive week. (B) HK has confirmed the first EV-71 case this year. The case is a 1-year-old infant who went to China from March 1 to March 15, 2008. She developed symptoms on March 17, was hospitalized on March 19, and she is currently stable. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(4) Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Singapore: The Ministry of Health of Singapore announced on March 17, 2008 that during week 11 (March 9-March 15, 2008), a total of 409 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) were reported in Singapore. 357 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. So far, a cumulative total of 3,136 HFM cases have been reported in 2008. 2,148 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. America:
Yellow fever in Brazil: The Ministry of Health of Brazil announced on March 13, 2008 that Brazil had reported 65 suspected cases of yellow fever since 2007, including 38 confirmed cases and 20 deaths. 55% of the cases, 21 cases including 13 deaths, were reported in Goiás State. The onset dates for the confirmed cases range between December 16, 2007 and March 3, 2008. Their ages are between 15 to 69 years, and 87% (33 cases) were unvaccinated. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
3. Europe:
Measles in England: The Health Protection Agency of England announced that during week 10 (March 1-March 7, 2008), a total of 81 measles cases were reported in England and Wales. So far, a cumulative total of 700 measles cases have been reported in 2008. 428 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.