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 18th week of the this year, reminding the public who plan to visit the affected areas to be aware of related disease prevention measures.

1. Asia
(1) Avian influenza in Indonesia and Japan: (A) WHO announced on April 30, 2008 that Indonesia confirmed a new fatal case of influenza H5N1 virus infection in a 3-year-old boy from Wonogiri District, Central Java Province. Of the 133 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 108 have been fatal. Since 2008, 31 cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in 4 countries worldwide with 24 deaths. (B) OIE announced Japan reported on April 29, 2008 first outbreak of avian influenza involving four dead wild swans that were found in Akita Prefecture and confirmed as having H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Enterovirus in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore: (A) During April 30 to May 2, 2008, the MOH of China, Anhui Province health department, and WHO announced that between March 27 and April 30, 2008, a total of 2477 EV-71 infected cases, including 20 deaths, were reported in Fuyang city. (B) Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection confirmed 3 EV-71 cases on April 30, 2008, bringing this year’s total to 10 cases, which is higher than that reported during the same period in previous year. The caseload of HFMD revealed a slight increase in April. (C) The MOH of Singapore announced on April 29, 2008 that the number of HFMD cases increased by 18% to 1466 cases in week 17 (Apr. 20 to 26, 2008) from 1245 in the previous week. A cumulative total of 9026 HFMD cases were reported in 2008 (comparing to 5241 reported during the same period in 2007) with 25% of the cases classified as EV-71 positive. To prevent infection, please be aware of personal hygiene and avoid going to crowed places.
(3) Dengue fever in Thailand: The Ministry of Public Health Department of Thailand announced on April 25, 2008 that 1150 cases of dengue fever had been reported during April 1 to 19 (comparing to 717 reported during the same period in 2007), bringing the cumulative total to 10901 cases, including 12 deaths, so far in 2008. 6070 cases, including 4 deaths were reported during the same period in 2007. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
(4) Polio in India and Pakistan: Global Polio Eradication Initiative announced the following on April 30, 2008: (A) India reported seven new WPV3 cases from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and a total of 203 cases in 2008. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on April 7. (B) Pakistan reported one new WPV1 case from Karachi in Sindh Province, who had onset on April 1. A cumulative total of 4 cases were reported in Pakistan in 2008. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have completed the vaccine series.

2. America
Malaria in Bahamas: WHO announced on April 25, 2008 that between January and March 2008, cases of P. falciparum in 2 tourists who visited Great Exuma, Bahamas were reported. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.

3. Europe
(1) Avian influenza in Denmark: OIE announced Danish reported first out break of lowly pathogenic avian influenza this year on April 29, 2008. Eleven cases of lowly pathogenic H7 avian influenza were reported in Svendborg Kommune, Denmark on April 24, 2008. So far, a total of 2050 poultry were slaughtered. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Mumps in Ireland: European CDC announced on April 30, 2008 that mumps cases in Ireland had started to increase this year. During week 1 to 16, 153 cases were reported while 34 cases were reported during the same period last year, and a total of 150 cases were reported in 2007. Among the reported cases this year, 87 cases were confirmed, and the majority of the cases were aged between 15 to 19 years. 34% of which were infected in schools, and 20% were not vaccinated. As of now, 6 clusters have been reported from communities, schools and families. To prevent infection, people should be vaccinated and avoid going to crowed places.

4. Africa
(1) Yellow fever in Liberia: WHO announced on April 25, 2008 that the Ministry of Health in Liberia had reported one other confirmed case of Yellow fever as the index case from the same community in Zuotuo, Tappita District. Nimba County. The total number of confirmed cases is 2, including one death. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
(2) Polio in Nigeria, Angola, and Central African Republic: Global Polio Eradication Initiative announced the following on April 30, 2008: (A) Nigeria reported eleven new WPV1 cases and a total of 126 cases in 2008. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on March 31, 2008. (B) Angola reported one new case from the capital, Luanda, who had onset on March 21, bringing the cumulative total to 4 cases. (C) Central African Republic reported the first case of polio since November 2004 in a new WPV3 case from capital Bangui, who had onset on April 6, 2008. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have completed the vaccine series.