In the morning of May 20, 2009, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) confirmed the first imported case of influenza A (H1N1) in Taiwan.The case is a 52-year-old, foreign-born male who took flight CX831 from the United States on May 17, 2009 and arrived at Hong Kong in the afternoon of May 18, 2009.In the evening of May 18, 2009, he took flight CX468 and arrived at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 21:30. Upon arrival, he was detected with a body temperature of 38.3℃ by the fever screening station in the airport.After being examined by the quarantine physician and given the proper protection, the case was sent to the Tao Yuan General Hospital for specimen collection and isolation.The case has traveled to the United Sates during February 20 and May 17, 2009. Currently, the case is in good health condition and staying at the negative pressure isolation room.

CECC has promptly conveyed the information about the case to the commanding officer of CECC, Minister of Health Yeh, Director Kuo of Taiwan CDC and three experts in Geneva and relevant responses have been instructed to help contain the outbreak.The passengers sitting in the same row and in the 3 rows in front and behind the case and the crew members on flight CX831 (departed from New York at 15:00 on May 17, 2009 and arrived at Hong Kong at 18:40 on May 18, 2009; the case’s plane seat: 41H) and CX468 (departed from Hong Kong at 20:00 on May 18, 2009 and arrived at Taiwan at 21:30 on the same day; the case’s plane seat: 62K) will be followed up.At the time of writing, CECC has obtained the list of 57 close contacts on flight CX468 for investigation and follow-up.Additionally, the list of passengers on board CX831 has also been secured.

CECC urged passengers on board those two aforementioned flights, especially those sitting in the same row and in the three rows in front and behind the case to voluntarily report themselves to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) through the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, observe their own health, conduct home quarantine, and measure their body temperature twice a day for a period of seven days.After contacting Taiwan CDC, public health personnel will visit them to conduct preliminary investigation, collect specimen and administer antiviral prophylaxis.In addition, CECC stated that people in Taiwan should not panic because the case and all the close contacts have been traced.On the other hand, the passengers on board the same flights with the case should not be overly panicked and are urged to conduct self-health management for seven days or call 1922 for consultation.If any of the close contacts develop influenza-like symptoms such as fever and cough during the next 2-7 days, please be sure to contact the local health unit first and refrain from seeking medical attention on his/her own.

CECC has reported the case to the World Health Organization and contact points in other countries through the IHR Focal Point.Further, CECC will hold the 8th meeting at noon on May 20, 2009 in response to the case.