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 52nd week of 2007, reminding people who plan to visit the affected areas to be aware of related disease prevention measures.
1. Asia:
(1) Avian influenza in Indonesia, Egypt and Pakistan: (A) WHO announced on December 26, 2007 that the Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 24-year-old female from West Jakarta municipality, DKI Jakarta province developed symptoms on 14 December, was hospitalized on 19 December and died on 25 December. The source of her exposure is currently under investigation. Of the 116 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 94 have been fatal. (B) WHO announced on December 26, 2007 that the Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case is a 25 year old female from Bany Suwef Governorate. She was hospitalized on the 23 December and died on 25 December. The source of her exposure is currently under investigation. Of the 39 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 16 have been fatal. (C) WHO announced on December 27, 2007 that the first case of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in Pakistan. Laboratory tests conducted by the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory. All identified close contacts including the other members of the affected family and involved health care workers remain asymptomatic and have been removed from close medical observation. 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 Saudi Arabia: OIE announced that Saudi Arabia reported 1 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry farms located in the capital city –Ar Riyad on November 15, 2007. So far, a total of 6 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry farms have been reported in Saudi Arabia in 2007. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(3) Influenza in Japan: The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced on December 21, 2007 that during week 49 (December 3-December 9, 2007), a total of 18,868 flu cases were reported in Japan. The influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 3.98. A cumulative total of 48,016 flu cases were reported between weeks 36 and 49 in 2007. Most cases (45.5%) are aged between 5 to 9 years. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(4) Dengue fever in Thailand and Singapore: (A) The Ministry of Health of Thailand announced on December 21, 2007 that a total of 609 DHF cases were reported in December. So far, a total of 60,625 DHF cases, including 83 deaths, have been reported in 2007. Further, the majority of the cases, 6,570 cases, including 9 deaths, were reported from Bangkok. (B) The Ministry of Health of Singapore announced on December 24, 2007 that 97 dengue fever (DF) cases were reported between December 16 and December 22. So far, a total of 8,519 DF cases and 185 DHF cases have been reported in 2007, reflecting an increase over the same period in 2006 (3,006 DF cases and 72 DHF cases). To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
2. European Region:
Avian influenza in animals in Russia and Poland : (A) OIE announced on December 24, 2007 that Russia reported 4 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza had occurred on 1 farm and 3 villages between September 5 and December 19, 2007. So far, a total of 21 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Russia in 2007. (B) OIE announced that Poland reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza had occurred in a village located in Mazowieckie Province on December 22, 2007. So far, a total of 10 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Poland in 2007. 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 December 20, 2007 that human cases of Rift Valley fever continue to rise in Sudan. The most rapid increase in human cases has been observed in Gazeera State, accounting for 406 cases with 148 deaths. To prevent infection, please follow measures to prevent mosquito bites.