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 41st 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 Indonesia and Viet Nam: WHO announced on October 8 and October 12 that Indonesia had confirmed two new cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, including one fatal case who was a 44-year-old female from Pekanbaru City in Riau Province. The other newly confirmed case is a 12-year-old male from Tangerang District in Banten Province, and he had direct contact with dead chicken near his school in the days before his illness. Of the 109 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 87 have been fatal. OIE announced on October 11 that Viet Nam reported one new outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in poultry, bringing this year’s total to 64 outbreaks. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Varicella and rabies in China: It is the varicella season of the year in Beijing, China now, and 112 cases were reported from October 1 to October 7, reflecting a 16.67% increase over the same period last year and bringing this year’s cumulative caseload to 11,104. In addition, there has been an increase in this year’s rabies cases, and a total of 28 cases have been reported in Hainan province as of September 17. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have varicella vaccination and avoid mammal bites or licks to an open wound.
(3) Dengue fever in Singapore: The Ministry of Health in Singapore announced on October 8 that 171 dengue fever (DF) cases and four dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases were reported from September 30 to October 6, 2007. There have been a total of 7,118 DF cases and 170 DHF cases reported so far this year. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
(4) Poliomyelitis in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan: Afghanistan reported one new case in week 40 and a total of 11 cases this year. India reported 26 new cases in week 40 and a total of 281 cases this year. Pakistan reported two new cases and a total of 15 cases this year. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have completed the vaccine series.
2. America:
Salmonella in the United States: US CDC announced on October 10 that between January 1, 2007 and October 9, 2007, at least 152 isolates of _ Salmonella _ had been collected from ill persons. At least 20 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. To avoid infection, please pay attention to food hygiene.
4. Africa and Middle East:
(1) Cholera in Iraq: WHO announced on October 9 that 10,778 new diarrhea cases were reported from October 1 to October 4 and a total of 3,857cholera confirmed cases, including 18 deaths, have been reported from 25 districts in Northern Iraq and 14 districts in the middle-south of Iraq as of October 7. 96% cases were reported from Sulymania and Kirkuk, Northern Iraq. To avoid infection, please pay attention to food hygiene.
(2) Poliomyelitis in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Nigeria reported two new cases in week 40. The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported one new case in week 40 and a total of 30 cases this year. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have completed the vaccine series.