Vice Premier Chang San-cheng convened the first meeting of the Executive Yuan avian influenza response task force this afternoon.
Related ministries reported on the epidemic-prevention measures being implemented as well as matters requiring cross-ministerial collaboration. Six mission-oriented panels have been formed comprising members of different ministries. These panels are dedicated to epidemic prevention, industry assistance, health care, resources and logistics, economic and livelihood issues, and news and information, respectively. Chang enjoined the panels to work together in close partnership so as to effectively control the outbreak.
Regarding Tainan City Mayor Lai Ching-te's request at the Cabinet meeting for central government assistance in transporting poultry carcasses, the vice premier stated that he had already coordinated about this issue with the military, which will send in soldiers tomorrow (January 16) to assist the Tainan City Government. The central government will also lend a hand to other local governments if help is needed, the vice premier said.
The COA stated that to control the bird flu, it has reinforced epidemic-prevention measures by adhering to the principles of advanced deployment, swiftly culling animals showing any symptoms of the disease in order to block the spread of the virus. Beginning January 18, a veterinarian's certificate of health must accompany all waterfowls sent to slaughterhouses in order to reduce the risk of contagion.
Moreover, in order to fully satisfy consumer demand for poultry and maintain price stability during the long Lunar New Year holiday (February 18-23), responsible agencies must keep track of the situation and have full grasp of information concerning overall production and sales. These agencies must also proactively coordinate with relevant associations in the industry to stabilize production and distribution. In addition, low-interest loans must be speedily supplied and technological consultations on rehabilitation provided in order to accelerate industry recovery.
As for disinfecting affected poultry farms, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) stated that it has directed health bureaus under various counties and cities to abide by the standard operation procedures to execute the clearance of culled animals in poultry farms. These procedures are stipulated in the guidelines on epidemic-prevention governing disease-control personnel for animal influenza.
Meanwhile, the MOHW will closely monitor the health conditions of involved personnel and stock protective clothing, N95 masks and other protective gear at each of the Centers for Disease Control's regional centers. These centers will provide logistical support to local disease-control personnel carrying out the animal culling tasks.
According to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), as of noon today the Yunlin County, Chiayi County and Pingtung County environmental protection bureaus had all responded to their respective local governments' animal epidemic prevention authorities' requests for assistance in the disinfection of outdoor public areas. About 3 million square meters were disinfected, requiring over 100 person-times of personnel dispatches. (One trip by one person counts as one person-time.)
Today the EPA sent a total of 2,600 liters of quaternary ammonium to the Yunlin and Chiayi county environmental protection bureaus to aid their disinfection efforts.
The EPA has also launched a nationwide environmental protection inspection targeting poultry farms and rendering plants via an intensive inspection and reporting system. The goal is to ensure that the rendering of poultry carcasses is properly carried out. To date 88 locations have been inspected, with personnel dispatches numbering 96 person-times.
The EPA has demanded local environmental protection units nationwide to dispatch personnel and cleaning teams to immediately handle arbitrarily disposed carcasses wherever they are discovered. It has also ordered them to conduct intensive inspections of poultry farms within their jurisdictions. If the poultry count in any farm has changed significantly, the authorities must immediately report this and trace the animal carcasses' whereabouts in order to deter any arbitrary disposal.