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 37th 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 birds in China: The Agriculture Ministry of China announced, on September 17, one new outbreak of bird flu occurred in Sixian, Panyu, Guangdong on September 5, which was confirmed to be caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. A total of 36,130 ducks have been culled as of September 17. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Poliomyelitis in India: India reported 15 new cases in week 36 and a total of 200 cases this year. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have completed the vaccine series.
2. America:
West Nile virus in the United States and Canada: US CDC announced on September 11 that 1,395 cases of WNV infection, including thirty-eight deaths, had been reported. Most cases were reported from California（198 cases）,North Dakota（184 cases）,South Dakota（160 cases）,Wyoming（143 cases）and Montana（100 cases）. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported, on September 7, 128 newly confirmed cases of WNV infection in week 35（from August 26 to September 1）, and a total of 1,475 cases as of September 1. To avoid infection, please take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
3. Europe:
Avian influenza in birds in Germany: OIE announced that Germany reported on September 13 one new outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in poultry, bringing this year’s total to 267 outbreaks. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
4. Oceania:
Cryptosporidiosis in New Zealand : The New Zealand Public Health Surveillance Report announced that 47 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported in June（29 cases were reported during the same period last year）and 215 cases were reported this season, from April to June（86 cases were reported during the same period last year）. A total of 428 cases have been reported so far this year （180 cases were reported during the same period last year）. To prevent infection, avoid contact with contaminated water, and please pay attention to food hygiene.
5. Africa:
(1) Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: WHO announced on September 11 that Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had confirmed an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the province of Kasai Occidental. As of September 11, 2007, 372 cases and 166 deaths associated with the outbreak in the province of Kasai Occidental have been reported. To prevent infection, avoid direct contact with patients' blood and their secreta.
(2) Cholera in Iraq: WHO announced on September 14 that between August 23, 2007 and September 10, 2007, the cumulative number of cases of acute watery diarrhea reported from Sulaymaniyah province, Iraq, stands at 6,142, including 9 deaths. 6,749 cases of acute diarrheal disease, including 1 death, were reported from Kirkuk province between July 29, 2007 and September 12, 2007. 11,641 cases of diarrheal disease with no death were reported from Erbil province between September 1, 2007 and September 10, 2007. Among all the samples tested, 33 were identified as positive for V. cholerae. To avoid infection, please pay attention to food hygiene.
(3) Poliomyelitis in Nigeria, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Nigeria reported nine new cases in week 36. Chad and DR Congo respectively reported two new cases in week 36. To prevent infection, children must be sure to have completed the vaccine series.