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 6th 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 Indonesia: WHO announced on February 5, 2008 that the Ministry of Health in Indonesia had reported two new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection. The first case is a 29-year-old female from Tangerang City, Banten Province who developed symptoms on January 22, was hospitalized on January 28 , and died on February 2. Investigations into the source of her infection are ongoing. The second case is a 38-year-old female from West Jakarta, Jakarta Province who developed symptoms on January 24, was hospitalized on January 26, and is currently in hospital in a critical condition. Investigations into the source of her infection are ongoing. Of the 126 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 103 have been fatal. Of the 10 cases confirmed to date around the world, 9 have been fatal. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
(2) Avian influenza in animals in India, Turkey and Pakistan: OIE announced that (A) India had reported 31 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in West Bengal Province between January 15 and January 26, 2008. So far, a total of 31 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in India in 2008. (B) Turkey reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a village in Samsun Province on January 26, 2008. So far, a total of 2 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Turkey in 2008. (C) Pakistan reported 2 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2 poultry farms in one village on January 28, 2008. This is the first report on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Pakistan in 2008. So far, a total of 108 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in 10 countries in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
2. America Region:
Yellow fever in Brazil: WHO announced on February 5, 2008 that, as of February 1, the Ministry of Health, Brazil had reported a total of 48 cases of yellow fever, including 13 deaths. The first case was confirmed on December 17, 2007, and twenty three of all the cases have been laboratory confirmed. Twenty one confirmed cases had never been vaccinated for yellow fever, and the other 2 cases were last vaccinated over 20 years ago. To prevent infection, people should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
3. European Region:
Avian influenza in animals in England: OIE announced that England had reported 1 new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at Radipole Lake, Chesil Beach near Weymouth in Dorset County on December 27, 2007. In 2007, a total of 5 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and 2 outbreaks of lowly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in England. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.
3. Africa Region:
Avian influenza in animals in Egypt and the Dominican Republic: OIE announced that (A) Egypt had reported 13 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 11 villages and 2 poultry farms between January 23 and February 7, 2008. So far, a total of 59 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in Egypt in 2008. (B) The Dominican Republic reported 4 new outbreaks of lowly pathogenic avian influenza in 4 villages between December 21, 2007 and January 11, 2008. In 2007, a total of 5 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and 3 outbreaks of lowly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in the Dominican Republic.So far, a total of 3 outbreaks of lowly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in 2008. To prevent infection, avoid contact with birds and their excreta, and poultry meat and eggs must be fully cooked before serving.