The Chinese New Year Holiday is approaching. The 42nd meeting held by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) was convened by the commander-in-chief of CECC, the Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan, Li-Luan Chu.The meeting primarily discussed the development of the ongoing outbreaks in the nation and overseas and measures to be implemented during the Chinese New Year Holiday.At the meeting, Vice Premier Chu announced Premier of the Executive Yuan Wu’s instructions concerning the control of the ongoing H1N1 outbreak. The Central Epidemic Command Center is instructed to continue vigilance about the development of the outbreak, reinforce implementation of the nation-wide vaccination campaign and relevant promotion activities in order to prevent the third wave of the H1N1 outbreak.

With an increased amount of travel during the holiday season, it is harder to predict the development of future outbreaks.Therefore, CECC will continue to closely monitor outbreak signs through compiling data collected by the existing domestic surveillance systems and gathering information on international outbreaks and news reports during the Chinese New Year.

In addition, an increase in the number of inbound and outbound international travelers is also expected during the Chinese New Year Holiday.Quarantine officers at airports and ports will reinforce quarantine measures at ports of entry to prevent importation of diseases.