After checking with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Command Center confirmed that a total of three new H7N9 avian influenza cases had occurred (2 in Zhejiang Province and 1 in Henan Province) between 8 a.m. yesterday (April 25) and 8 a.m. today, excluding Jiangxi Province’s first confirmed case, which was announced this morning (April 26). As of now, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in mainland China is 112 (33 in Shanghai City, 24 in Jiangsu Province, 44 in Zhejiang Province, 4 in Anhui Province, 1 in Beijing City, 4 in Henan Province, 1 in Shandong Province and 1 in Jiangxi Province). Of these, there were 23 deaths (12 in Shanghai City, 4 in Jiangsu Province, 6 in Zhejiang Province and 1 in Anhui Province). Currently, areas affected by H7N9 avian influenza in the mainland China include Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Beijing City, Henan Province, Shandong Province and Jiangxi Province. 

Between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, a total of 13 suspected cases had been reported in Taiwan. Of these, 4 specimens were taken after medical evacuations from the airport (1 was tested positive for H1N1 virus and the rest showed negative result in lab test); 9 cases were reported by medical institutions (2 are under examination, 1 was tested positive for H1N1 virus and the rest showed negative result). 

The Command Center indicates that domestic manufacturers can produce 800,000 pieces of flat shaped face mask per day at present, while the 4 major convenience stores only sold an average of 23,000 pieces per day in April. The supply of masks is sufficient and there is no need for the public to rush to purchase. The Command Center has demanded close collaboration among the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Fair Trade Commission and the Consumer Protection Committee to conduct strict monitoring on the status of supply and demand, as well as the price, for goods and materials for disease prevention. The Command Center appeals seriously to manufacturers not to fish in troubled waters, gain advantage by stocking up on masks, or jack up the price. Otherwise, the government will certainly punish them according to law. 

In particular, the Command Center explains that the Center for Disease Control has established the mechanism for stocking up on goods and materials for disease prevention. Thus, our nation has had safety stock of a variety of protective equipment. In addition to establishing a Level 3 safety stock in the central government, local governments and hospitals, there is a total of approximately 3,060,000 pieces of N95 mask, about 50,000,000 pieces of surgical mask and around 750,000 pieces of protective clothing in stock at present. The supply of goods and materials for disease prevention is sufficient. When necessary, they can be released. 

The Command Center specially gives an explanation on the public and the press’s doubts today. 

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.