After checking with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Command Center confirmed that a new H7N9 avian influenza case (in Fujian Province) and 4 death cases (2 in Jiangsu Province, 1 in Zhejiang Province and 1 in Anhui Province) occurred between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today (May 7). All of the death cases were previously confirmed cases. The existing cumulative number of confirmed cases in mainland China is 129 (33 in Shanghai City, 27 in Jiangsu Province, 46 in Zhejiang Province, 4 in Anhui Province, 4 in Henan Province, 1 in Beijing City, 2 in Shandong Province, 5 in Jiangxi Province, 5 in Fujian Province and 2 in Hunan Province). Of these, there were 31 death cases (13 in Shanghai City, 8 in Jiangsu Province, 7 in Zhejiang Province, 2 in Anhui Province and 1 in Jiangxi Province). Currently, areas affected by H7N9 avian influenza in the mainland China include Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Henan Province, Beijing City, Shandong Province, Jiangxi Province, Fujian Province and Hunan Province. 

According to the statistics published by the Ministry of Agriculture, People’s Republic of China, a total of 51 samples were tested positive for H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus as of May 5. These samples were taken from 16 live poultry markets, 1 pigeon breeder and 1 district (the Qinhuai District in Nanjing City) in 8 provinces and cities: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Shandong and Guangdong. Of these, 31 samples were taken from chicken, 4 from pigeons, 1 from a wild pigeon, 3 from ducks and 12 from the environment. As for the samples submitted by poultry farms, pig farms and slaughter houses for lab testing, they all showed negative result. 

Between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, a total of 13 suspected cases had been reported in Taiwan. All of these cases were reported by medical institutions; 6 are under examination and the possibility of H7N9 infection in the remaining cases has been ruled out (showed negative result). 

The Command Center held the 8th meeting today, in which there were reports and discussions about the current situation of monitoring poultry and executing the banning policy on the slaughter and sale of live poultry. As of May 5, data regarding domestic surveillance on poultry showed that 294 chicken farms, 153 duck farms, 42 goose farms, 496 pet birds, 39 pig farms, 58 native chicken and live poultry stalls and 2,293 migratory birds’ excrements had been sampled and inspected; no H7N9 subtype avian influenza antibody or virus had been detected. By May 5, case visit and reporting regarding domestic avian influenza-prone animal epidemic and arrangement for infected cases showed that 9,986 clinical visits and monitoring of 16 reported cases had been completed; no case of avian influenza was found, either. As for the promotion of the incentives for following the banning policy on the slaughter of live poultry, a total of 24 slaughterhouses have met the requirement for the number of live poultry slaughtered, totaling 15,264 colorful chicken, and received incentive pay. A total of 512 stalls were visited and notified of the incentive program, of which 70 are willing to participate in the program. The Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan will continue to encourage stall owners to participate in the program. 

The Command Center would like to appeal again: Taiwan nationals who are visiting areas affected by H7N9 avian influenza in mainland China should keep hygienic habits such as washing hands frequently and wearing a mask, refrain from contacting and feeding birds and poultry, avoid visiting traditional live poultry markets and consume only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs. Travelers returning from a H7N9 affected area in the mainland China should wear a mask and consult a doctor immediately when symptoms such as fever and cough appear, and inform the doctor of their travel history. For the latest updates on the epidemic situation and information about travel-related infectious diseases, please visit the “H7N9 Flu” and “International Travel Info” pages of the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov.tw). Alternatively, please call the toll-free reporting and care hotline 1922 for enquiry. If calling from a phone that cannot dial short code telephone numbers, please dial the disease prevention hotline 0800-001922.