After hearing a report today by the Department of Health (DOH) on response measures to H7N9 avian flu and other transmittable diseases, Premier Jiang Yi-huah gave the thumbs-up to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) and other government agencies for helping stem the spread of H7N9 in Taiwan.
"The pathogenic mechanism by which the H7N9 virus causes disease is different from that of ordinary flu viruses, but thanks to astute judgment and careful testing on the part of our medical professionals, the patient in Taiwan's first imported case of H7N9 is receiving appropriate treatment and making steady recovery," Jiang said. "This attests to the effectiveness of our disease prevention system and the quality of medical care."
Jiang said that the H7N9 outbreak has subsided in mainland China, but the potential for infections in the region will continue throughout the year into autumn and winter. He directed ministries and local governments to continue collaborating with the CECC and see the measures through to prevent the spread of the virus.
To minimize the risk of bird-to-human transmission to consumers, the Council of Agriculture (COA) will ban the slaughter of live poultry at traditional markets starting May 17. This ground breaking measure will be implemented with support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the DOH and local authorities. Officials will increase communication with poultry vendors, encourage them to sell approved meat products, and match sellers with government-approved suppliers and slaughterhouses. To get vendors on board this effort, the premier asked the COA to consider subsidizing vendors who buy meat from approved slaughterhouses.
As for other transmittable diseases, DOH data indicate that the enterovirus has entered its peak season in Taiwan. Last week, 921 persons visited the emergency room for enterovirus infection. This emergency room visit rate of 0.78 percent was higher than average for the same period of the past five years. The premier asked the DOH to increase surveillance of the disease, continue educating the public about proper sanitation, and raise awareness among physicians and the public.
Several cases of locally acquired dengue fever have emerged in Chunrih Township, Pingtung County. Since the area had not had reports of locally originated cases for 15 years, it is possible for indigenous strains to appear anywhere in Taiwan, Jiang said. He directed the DOH, the Environment Protection Administration and local governments to eliminate mosquito breeding sources, and encouraged citizens to form a habit of cleaning up such sources in and around their homes.
Taiwan has been a rabies-free country with no indigenous cases for over 50 years, Jiang said. Consequently the public is not as alert or knowledgeable about the disease, which has an exceedingly high death rate. Fortunately the few cases of human rabies currently found on the island originated in other countries, and follow-up records indicate these people have not had any contact with domestic cats or dogs. The premier pointed out that mainland China and southeast Asian countries remain infected areas that could potentially put Taiwan at risk. The DOH will strengthen rabies-prevention publicity to those traveling abroad while the Council of Agriculture will step up animal quarantine, crack down on animal smuggling and promote rabies vaccination for animals (including acquiring sufficient vaccines and encouraging vaccinations for pets).