The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced one confirmed case of H7N9 influenza infection in a 69-year-old Taiwanese male who had visited Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province, China and had no history of exposure to poultry and suspected cases.　As the case developed symptoms in Guangdong Province, he is considered this year’s first imported H7N9 case in Taiwan. To prevent further transmission of the disease, the health authority has identified contacts to provide relevant health education, monitor and follow up. If any of the contacts develops influenza-like symptoms such as fever or cough, Taiwan CDC will assist them to seek medical attention. In addition, Taiwan CDC has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) and China about this case through the National IHR Focal Point.

According to the case, on January 23, 2017, he developed symptoms such as fever and chills in Guangdong Province and sought medical attention locally. On January 25, he arrived in Taiwan. On January 26, he sought medical attention at a hospital and was reported to the health authority as a suspected case of infection with novel influenza A viruses. Relevant tests showed negative results. Since the case did not develop fever, he was given antivirals and asked to conduct self-health management. On January 29, he sought further medical attention at a hospital after he developed fever, phlegm cough, and shortness of breath. On February 1, he was diagnosed with suspected pneumonia and hospitalized. He was reported to the health authority as a case of infection with novel influenza A viruses and pneumonia of unknown origin. After collecting and submitting his specimens for testing, infection with the H7N9 virus was laboratory confirmed. As of now, the case is still hospitalized for treatment. According to the epidemiological investigation, 2 of his 6 Chinese coworkers had developed upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Their symptoms have been relieved after seeking medical attention. On the other hand, 2 family members of the case have not developed suspected symptoms. The health authority will continue to follow up on the health of the contacts.

H7N9 activity in China continues to intensify. Since October 1, 2016, a cumulative total of 261 H7N9 influenza infections have been confirmed in China, including 92 cases in Jiangsu Province, 45 cases in Zhejiang Province, 33 cases in Anhui Province, and 27 cases in Guangdong Province. Most avian influenza infections occur in China during November through May. According to the report released by the China Health and Family Planning Commission, H7N9 activity in China escalated rapidly the past December and this January. In addition, this year’s cumulative total has been the highest compared to the same period in the past years. Currently, Taiwan CDC has issued a travel notice of Level 2: Alert for human infections with novel influenza A viruses to Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Guangdong Province, Fujian Province, Guizhou Province, Shanghai City, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Henan Province, Jiangxi Province, Shandong Province, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, Hebei Province, Beijing City, Tianjin City, Liaoning Province, and Yunnan Province, and a travel notice of Level 1: Watch for avian influenza to the other provinces and cities in China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau.

As H7N9 activity remains at its peak in China, Taiwan CDC once again urges travelers visiting affected areas to practice good personal hygiene such as washing hands with soap and water frequently and putting on a mask when coughing and take preventive measures such as avoiding direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings/dead bodies, and consuming only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs to ward off avian influenza infection. If influenza-like illness symptoms develop upon arriving in Taiwan, please voluntarily notify the airline crew and the quarantine officer at the quarantine station in the airport. If the aforementioned symptoms such as fever and cough develop after returning to Taiwan, please put on a surgical mask and seek immediate medical attention. Moreover, please inform the physician of the recent travel and exposure history to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).