As the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the global influenza pandemic alert level to phase 4, Taiwan established the Central Epidemic Command Center for influenza A (H1N1) in response.According to the recent disease surveillance data, border monitoring for disease is the current focus in disease prevention efforts.Premier of the Executive Yuan Liu visited Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to survey preparation for the implementation of onboard quarantine inspection of flights at 11 am on April 28, 2009. Premier Liu instructed reinforced flight quarantine measures to ensure proper and effective border control, thus protecting the health of the people in Taiwan.

Border monitoring for disease is the first and foremost task in disease control and prevention that involves multiple government agencies and units.Therefore, Premier Liu requested relevant government agencies and units at the airport to maintain coordination with all key stakeholders in order to integrate available resources into the government’s preparedness strategies.

At the same time, Premier Liu approved the Department of Health’s timely response to the current outbreaks of influenza A (H1N1) overseas.In terms of pandemic influenza preparedness, Taiwan has been assessed as highly prepared.Since epidemics are unpredictable, Premier Liu cautioned all government agencies and units to stay on guard.

This public health event of international concern has immediately proved including Taiwan in the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) beneficial and has further illustrated the significance of more involvement from Taiwan in WHO such as Taiwan’s attendance in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer.