Premier Lin Chuan today asked government agencies to step up control measures against the growing number of avian flu outbreaks, saying the H5N6 subtype poses a greater threat than H5N2 or H5N8 because it has the potential to infect humans.
Speaking at the Cabinet's weekly meeting, the premier said this is the first time H5N6 has been detected in Taiwan. He asked Council of Agriculture (COA) Minister Lin Tsung-hsien, who doubles as commander of the Central Disaster Emergency Operation Center, to work closely with central and local authorities and contain any further spread of the virus.
Fighting avian flu is akin to waging war, the premier said. All administrative procedures must be simplified and executed swiftly, and any excessive bureaucracy or government infighting will not be tolerated.
To close the gaps in disease control, police, environmental authorities and local officials should crack down on farmers who kill poultry surreptitiously or dispose of carcasses improperly, the premier said.
The COA and local disease control agencies should also review their current measures to prevent problems discovered during the 2015 outbreaks, including insufficient biosecurity measures at poultry farms, false animal health certifications, and poor sterilization of transport and feed vehicles.
The premier also asked the COA to deploy control measures proactively and prepare for all possible scenarios. And if the council requires assistance or coordination from other agencies, they should not hesitate to ask, he added.