On August 24, 2009, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the fourth and fifth deaths linked to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Taiwan. The fourth death was a six-year-old boy who resided in Changhua County and had no particular medical history.On July 19, 2009, the case developed cough, running nose, sore throat, and a fever of 39℃ and sought medical attention at a clinic.However, the symptoms persisted.On the following day, the case sought further medical assistance at a hospital and was hospitalized.On July 27, 2009, when the symptoms worsened, the case was transferred to a medical center in Central Taiwan for further medical treatment.After one month of treatment, the case’s symptoms still did not subside and the case died on August 21, 2009.

The fifth death was a forty-four-year-old female who resided in Pingtung County. On August 17, 2009, the case developed unwell symptoms.On August 20, 2009, when the case developed symptoms such as a fever of 39℃, severe cough and shortness of breath, the case sought medical attention at a hospital.On August 21, the case developed pneumonia and was found to be infected with influenza A by a rapid diagnostic test.The case was then given Tamiflu and reported as a case of complications associated with influenza A. After much treatment, the case still died in the early morning of August 24, 2009.Although the case resided in Pingtung County, her residence was not affected by Typhoon Morakot.

In light of the two deaths, CECC once again urged healthcare personnel to increase alert when dealing with patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection.On the other hand, CECC has planned to call a conference that discussed deaths resulted from pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection in order to strengthen healthcare capacity soon.Further investigation is needed to determine if the influenza virus has developed antiviral resistance since the fifth case died despite prompt Tamiflu treatment.

In the evening of August 23, 2009, commander of CECC, Minister of Health Chih-Liang Yaung, called a “Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) Control Consultation Committee”meeting, and several mutual consensuses in response to the increasing number of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) cases were reached, which have been reported to the President of the Executive Yuan Liu.

As of now, a total of five deaths have been reported in Taiwan.The cases respectively lived in Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, Taitung County, Changhua County and Pingtung County.On the other hand, five cases of complications associated with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) are currently receiving treatment in intensive care wards.Over the past five days, five cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection have fully recovered from the disease.

As of noon on August 24, 2009, a total of 1799 deaths linked to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) have been reported around the world.Countries that have reported comparatively more deaths linked to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) include the United States (477), Argentina (404), Brazil (368), Mexico (164), Australia (131), Chile (128), Canada (67), Peru (62), the United Kingdom (59), and Paraguay (39).Countries in Asia that have reported deaths linked to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) include Thailand (111), Malaysia (68), India (28), Singapore (11), the Philippines (8), Japan (3), South Korea (2), Hong Kong (4), and Vietnam (2).