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 7th 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 and Indonesia: (A)WHO announced on February 15, 2008 that the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam has confirmed a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case is a 40-year-old male from Gia Loc district, Hai Duong province. He developed symptoms on February 2, was hospitalized on February 8, and died on February 13. Of the 103 cases confirmed to date in Vietnam, 49 have been fatal. (B)WHO announced on February 12, 2008 that the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 15-year-old female from West Jakarta, Jakarta Province, the daughter of a previously confirmed case, the 38-year-old female announced on February 5. She was exposed to her sick mother on January 27-28, and spent time in a neighborhood where chickens and other birds were found. This case developed symptoms on February, 2 was hospitalized on February 8, and is currently in a critical condition in hospital. Investigations into the source of her infection are ongoing. Of the 127 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 103 have been fatal. Of the 12 cases confirmed to date around the world, 10 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 Laos and Turkey: OIE announced that (A) Laos had reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Luangnamtha Province on February 1, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Laos in 2008. (B) Turkey reported 3 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Samsun and Sakarya Province between February 1 and February 8, 2008. So far, a total of 5 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Turkey in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(3) Measles in Japan: The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced that during week 4 (January 21-January 27, 2008), a total of 205 measles cases were reported in Japan. A cumulative total of 659 measles cases were reported between weeks 1 and 4 in 2008. 269(41%) cases were reported from Kanagawa-ken, followed by 96 cases from Fukuoka-ken, 58 cases from Tokyo city,49 cases from Akita-ken, and 45 cases from Hokkaidō. Among those cases, 166 cases (25.2%) are aged between 10 to 14 years, 97.9% are aged below 39 years, and 387 cases (58.7%) were never vaccinated. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. America Region:
Yellow fever in Brazil: US CDC and PAHO announced on February 11, 2008 that Brazil had reported yellow fever outbreaks in 6 states since 2007, including Goiás State, Federal District State, Mate Grosso do Sul State, Minas Gerais State, Tocantins State and São Paulo State. A cumulative total of 26 case ,including 13 deaths, were reported in Goiás State, Mato Grosso do Sul State and Federal District State. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
3. European Region:
Avian influenza in animals in Ukraine: OIE announced that Ukraine reported 2 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Crimean Province on February 5 and February 11, 2008. So far, a total of 3 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Ukraine in 2008. And a total of 117 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in 12 countries this year. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.