The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced a newly confirmed imported case of influenza A (H1N1) in Taiwan, which is the 12th confirmed case in Taiwan.The twelfth case is a 33-year-old Taiwan-born male merchant who traveled to New York, the United States on May 12, 2009 to visit a client. During his visit, he stayed with his parents at home in New York and had dined with his elder sister who experienced a fever.

On May 27, 2009, the case stopped by Hong Kong to catch a connecting flight from New York and arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at 21:40.After landing, he drove home.According to the case, he experienced symptoms such as fever, light cough, running nose, fatigue, and swollen gums after boarding the plane (approximately early morning of May 27, 2009 in Taiwan).On May 28, he developed nasal congestion and headache and stayed at home during the day. At 23:50 on the same day, he went out to catch a movie with his wife and three other friends.On May 29, he stayed at home during the day as well.However, he continued to experience fever and went to the emergency room at 22:00.After diagnosis, he was listed as a person under investigation and specimen was immediately collected from the case for laboratory testing.Influenza A (H1N1) infection was confirmed in the case in the evening of May 30, 2009.The case was sent to the isolation ward for treatment.Currently, the case still experiences cough, but is in good health condition.

According to the epidemiological investigation, the twelfth case developed symptoms on the airplane.Therefore, the case is highly likely to have become infected with influenza A (H1N1) in New York.Further, the case has been wearing a facemask during his trip to New York and when he was out and about after he returned to Taiwan.As a result, the risk of infecting the passengers sitting in the same row and in the 3 rows in front and behind the case and his three other friends is fairly low.Hence, only his wife has been given antiviral prophylaxis and the other close contacts have been asked to conduct self-health management. If any of the close contacts develop influenza-like symptoms such as fever and cough during the next 2-7 days, please be sure to call 1922 or contact the local health unit first and refrain from seeking medical attention on his/her own.CECC indicated that the 44 close contacts of the case and 38 of the 40 passengers sitting close to the case on the plane have been reached for further investigation.At the time of writing, the case’s three friends who went to movie with him and his wife have not developed any symptoms. CECC also stated that all the relevant outbreak control measures have been successfully implemented.

On the other hand, the 7th confirmed case of influenza A (H1N1) has been quarantined for seven days beginning May 24, 2009 and no domestic transmission of the virus has occurred.Therefore, CECC has lowered the pandemic alert level to phase 2 (yellow light alert).