As the Chinese New Year holiday is fast approaching, Taiwanese people are customarily making travel plans to visit their relatives.To reduce the risk of spread of communicable diseases by travelers, the Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) of the Department of Health (DOH) continues to reinforce inspection and quarantine work at airports and seaports during the holiday season.Taiwan CDC urges the public that it is important to pay attention to personal health while traveling, stay informed on the potential communicable disease risks at the destinations, and take the necessary precautions.

Since the beginning of this year, there have been reported cases of communicable disease, including avian influenza, arbovirus, and infectious intestinal and respiratory diseases, around the world.In the popular destinations for Taiwanese tourists such as countries in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China, there have been reported cases of shigellosis, dengue fever, and flu.Last year (2007), there were 386 imported cases of acute reportable communicable diseases.The majority of the cases were dengue fever (178 cases), followed by 59 cases of amoebic dysentery, 45 cases of shigellosis, 23 cases of acute hepatitis A, and 19 cases of typhoid fever.Further, most of the imported cases were found in Taiwanese travelers returning from either countries in Southeast Asia or mainland China.

Taiwan CDC recommends the following general guidelines for the public to reduce health risks while traveling abroad: (1). Pay attention to the cleanliness of food and drink to avoid catching infectious intestinal diseases; do not eat uncooked food or food sold by food stands; drink boiled or bottled water only; and wash hands before meal and after using the toilet.(2). To avoid catching arbovirus-related diseases (such as dengue fever, malaria, and Chikungunya fever), wear long-sleeve, light-colored clothing and use mosquito repellent.(3). Avoid touching animals and visiting farms or aviaries if your travel destination is an avian influenza affected area.If you suffer from respiratory distress such as fever or cough, please wear a mask immediately and seek medical attention at a local hospital accompanied by your tour guide as soon as possible.

Upon returning to Taiwan, you are advised to monitor your own health conditions.If you suffer from fever, cough, vomiting , diarrhea, rash or jaundice, please notify the quarantine personnel actively and fill out the “Communicable Disease Survey Form”.If you suffer from the aforementioned distress within one month of returning to Taiwan, please seek medical assistance immediately, and inform your doctor of your recent travel and contact history.For more information, please call the consultation hotline, 1922, operated by Taiwan CDC or visit the Taiwan CDC website http://www.cdc.gov.tw.