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 13th 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 animals in India: OIE announced that India reported 3 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in West Bangal Province between March 4 and March 22, 2008. So far, a total of 36 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in India in 2008. A total of 218 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in 14 countries this year. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Measles in Japan and China: (A) The National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan announced that during week 11, a total of 435 measles cases were reported in Japan. A cumulative total of 4,212 measles cases were reported between weeks 1 and 11 in 2008. The majority of the cases, 1,608 cases, were reported in Kanagawa-ken County, while the number of cases reported in Mori-machi County has increased sharply. Of those cases, 1,032 cases (24.5%) are aged between 15 to 19 years, and 1,998 cases (47.4%) were unvaccinated. (B) CDC of China announced that the number of measles cases reported has increased more than 60% between January and February as compared to the same period last year. In addition, an endemic outbreak has occurred in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shandong Province, Zhejiang Province and Tianjin City, reflecting an increase over the same period last year. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(3) Pertussis in Japan: The National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan announced that during week 11, a total of 82 pertussis cases were reported in Japan, and 0.03 consultation rate among sentinel private doctors at designated general hospitals, which is higher than the average of the past 5 years and the highest since 1998. The majority of the cases were reported in Chiba-ken (16 cases) and Fukuoka-ken (10 cases). To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(4) Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Thailand and Singapore: (A)The Ministry of Health of Thailand announced that during week 11, a total of 181 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) were reported in Thailand. 56 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. So far, a cumulative total of 5,472 HFM cases including 1 death have been reported in 2008. The majority of the cases, 919 cases, were reported in Bangkok, while 735 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. (B)The Ministry of Health of Singapore announced that during week 12, a total of 585 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) were reported in Singapore. 332 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. So far, a cumulative total of 3,721 HFM cases have been reported in 2008. 2,480 cases were reported during the same period in 2007. The number of reported EV-71 cases has increased since mid-February this year. Last year, most reported cases of enterovirus infection were caused by CA-19 virus. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
(5) Influenza and EV-71 in Hong Kong: HK Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced that (A) nine child patients in hospitals were tested positive for influenza as of March 13, 2008. Among the child patients, two are caused by Type A virus and seven are caused by Type B virus. (B) HK has confirmed a new EV-71 case on March 27 this year. The case is a 2-year-old girl who developed symptoms on March 13, was hospitalized on March 17, and was discharged on March 19. So far, this is the second case of EV-71 infection reported to CHP this year. 8, 16 and 12 cases of EV-71 infection were respectively reported in 2005, 2006 and 2007. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.
2. Europe:
Measles in Switzerland, Germany and France: (A) The Health Protection Agency of Switzerland announced on March 25, 2008 that during week 11, a total of 130 measles cases were reported in Switzerland. 1 and 20 measles cases were respectively reported in 2006 and 2007. So far, a cumulative total of 734 measles cases have been reported in 2008. 12 and 101 measles cases were respectively reported during the same period in 2006 and 2007. (B) The Epidemiology Weekly Bulletin of Germany announced on March 20, 2008 that a cumulative total of 84 measles cases have been reported in Germany in 2008. 48 measles cases were reported in 2007. The majority of the cases, 36 cases, were reported in Baden-Wurttemberg, and 14 cases each were reported in Bayern and Berlin. (C) ECDC announced on March 27, 2008 that between the end of January and March 12, 2008, 16 cases of measles were reported in Reims in eastern France. The cases are aged between seven months and 28 years. Among these cases, 13 were biologically confirmed (9 cases are caused by D4 measles virus and 1 case is caused by D5 measles virus). The index case was a 20-year-old female who developed rash on January 21. The source of infection remains unknown. To prevent infection, avoid going to crowded places.