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 16th 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 animals in Korea: OIE announced that Korea reported 9 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza between April 6 and April 12, 2008. So far, a total of 11 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Korea in 2008. So far, a total of 245 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in 17 countries this year. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Pertussis in Japan: The National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan announced on April 11, 2008 that during week 13(March 24-March 30, 2008), a total of 109 pertussis cases were reported in Japan, which is higher than the average of the past 5 years, reflecting a sharp increase over the same period since 2000. So far, a cumulative total of 851 cases have been reported in 2008. The majority of the cases were reported in Chiba-ken (150 cases), and 36.5% of the cases are aged over 20 years. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(3) Influenza and EV-71 in Hong Kong: HK Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced that (A) The epidemic trend of influenza has been descending for the past 3 weeks. As of March 13, 2008, a total of 29 suspected cases of children were hospitalized due to influenza, including 10 confirmed cases. (3 cases are caused by Type A virus and 7 cases are caused Type B virus). A total of 109 positive specimens were tested between March 30 and April 5, 2008, which is lower than the total number of specimens tested last week (239 positive specimens) (B) HK has confirmed the fourth EV-71 case. The case is a 2-year-old child, who went to China between April 4 and April 6, developed symptoms on April 8, was hospitalized on April 12, and was discharged on April 14. So far, a total of 4 cases of EV-71 infection have been reported to CHP this year. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(4) Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Singapore: The Ministry of Health of Singapore announced on April 15, 2008 that during week 15(April 6-April 12, 2008), a total of 1,000 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) were reported in Singapore, reflecting a 12% increase over last week (892 cases). So far, a cumulative total of 6,315 cases of HFM have been reported in 2008, while 3,821 of HFM cases were reported during the same period in 2007. Among the cases reported this year, 16% were tested positive for EV-71 virus. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. Europe:
Measles in Italy, Austria, Germany and Norway: (A) Between January 7 and March 16, 2008, 16 cases of measles were reported in the region of Apulia in south-eastern Italy. The virus genotype is D4. The mean age of these cases is eight years. None of the cases has ever been vaccinated against measles. The previous cluster in the region of Apulia was reported in November 2006-January 2007 during which 18 measles cases were caused by B3 measles virus. (B) Beginning the second week of March 2008, the public health authorities in the province of Salzburg have observed an increased number of measles cases compared to the same period in previous years. The current outbreak has affected, as of April 14, 202 people in Austria, 53 in Germany, and 4 in Norway, bringing the total number of cases related to this outbreak to 259. The initial case series investigation revealed that the common link among these cases was attendance at an anthroposophic school and day care center in Salzburg. The majority of the students were not vaccinated against measles. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded
3. Africa:
Avian influenza in Egypt: WHO announced on April 15 and April 17, 2008 that the Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt had reported two new human cases of avian influenza H5N1 virus infection. The first case is a 30-year-old female from Al-Matarya, Cairo Governorate. She developed symptoms on April 2, was hospitalized and died on April 11. Investigations into the source of her infection indicate a history of contact with sick and dead poultry. The second case is a 2-year-old child from Al-Honsanya, Sharkea Governorate. He developed symptoms on April 13, was hospitalized on April 14, and is currently in hospital. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate a history of contact with sick and dead poultry. Of the 50 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 22 have been fatal. Of the 30 cases confirmed to date around the world this year, 23 have been fatal. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.