The Taiwan Center for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced more avian influenza outbreaks in poultry had occurred worldwide. As of December 20, 2010, H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild birds have been reported in Japan, Vietnam, Nepal and South Korea, signaling the risk of further transmission.Taiwan CDC cautions the public to take precautions against avian influenza infection.

According to the data provided the World Health Organization (WHO), since 2003, a cumulative total of 510 cases of human infection with H5N1 have been confirmed, including 303 deaths. Between January 1 and December 9, 2010, a total of 42 confirmed cases of human infection with H5N1, including 21 deaths, have been reported in areas and countries, including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam, resulting in a mortality rate of about 50%.On the other hand, after seeking confirmation, no case of human infection with H5N1 has occurred in South Korea as reported by some media.

Taiwan CDC urges travelers visiting areas affected by avian influenza to avoid contact with birds, including domestic poultry and wild birds, and pay attention to personal hygiene, especially when visiting traditional wet markets.If travelers develop fever and flu-like symptoms upon returning to Taiwan, they could consult quarantine officer at the airport.If their symptom persists, they should put on a surgical mask and seek immediate medical assistance.They should also inform the doctor of their travel and contact history and comply with examination and treatment procedures.Doctors are urged to stay vigilant against cases of avian influenza and report cases of avian influenza to the health authorities as soon as possible.In addition, doctors are advised to prescribe government-funded influenza antiviral medication to those who qualify for the use of the medication.

Taiwan CDC would like to remind people the H5N1 virus is transmitted through direct contact with excreta of infected birds or objects contaminated by the excreta of infected birds, especially through inhalation or direct exposure of the mouth, eye or nasal mucous membrane to contaminated dust or aerosols. Avian influenza viruses can persist for long periods of time, especially at low temperatures.Hence, poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving in order to effectively prevent transmission of the virus.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), this year, a total of 22 countries have reported a total of 127 outbreaks of avian influenza in animals.For more information concerning avian influenza prevention, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website: http://ww.cdc.gov.tw/ or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.