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 4th 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 January 24, 2008 that the Ministry of Health in Viet Nam had confirmed a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case is a 34–year-old male from Tuyen Quang Province. He developed symptoms on January10, was hospitalized on January 16, and died on January 18. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his onset of symptoms. Poultry infected with H5N1 avian influenza were identified in the case's village following his illness onset. Of the 102 cases confirmed to date in Vietnam, 48 have been fatal. (B) WHO announced on January 23 and 24, 2008 that the Ministry of Health of Indonesia had announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 30-year-old male from Tangerang District, Banten Province developed symptoms on January 13, was hospitalized on January 19, and died on January 24. Investigations into the source of his infection are ongoing. (C) WHO announced on January 21, 2008 that the Ministry of Health of Indonesia had announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. An 8-year-old male from Tangerang District, Banten Province developed symptoms on January 7, was hospitalized on January 16, and died on January 18. Investigations into the source of his infection are ongoing. Of the 120 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 98 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 Thailand and Turkey: (A) OIE announced that Thailand reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a poultry farm in Nakhon Sawan Province on January 18, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Thailand in 2008. (B) OIE announced that Turkey reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 1 village in Zonguldak Province on January 18, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza 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) Chikungunya in Singapore: The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Singapore announced on January 11, 2008 that they have been notified of a case of chikungunya fever in a 27-year-old foreign national living in the Clive Street area on January 14, 2008. As of January 17, 2008, investigations have found 8 probable cases of chikungunya fever, and 4 have been admitted to hospitals. Further, all the 8 cases do not have a history of recent travel. Hence, it is highly likely that they acquired the infection locally. The MOH of Singapore has screened close to 500 people living or working in the Clive Street area. All previous cases of chikungunya fever reported in Singapore were imported. In 2007, 10 cases of chikungunya fever were reported to the MOH of Singapore. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
2. European Region:
Avian influenza in animals in Germany and Ukraine: (A) OIE announced that Germany reported 2 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2 poultry farms in Brandenburg between December 21, 2007 and December 25, 2007. A total of 270 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in Germany in 2007. (B) OIE announced that Ukraine reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 1 poultry farm in Crimean Province on January 15, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ukraine in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
3. Africa Region:
Rift Valley Fever in Sudan: WHO announced on January 22, 2008 that the number of human cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) reported in Sudan have declined continuously in recent weeks. As of January 15, 2008, a cumulative total of 698 cases, including 222 deaths, have been reported from six states (Gazeera, Kassala, Khartoum, River Nile, Sinnar and White Nile), yielding an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 31.8%. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.