Shandong Province of the mainland China confirmed its first H7N9 infection case this afternoon (April 23). The Command Center has completed verification and confirmation with the corresponding window of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, H7N9 affected areas in the mainland China include Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Beijing City and Henan Province, in addition to the newly affected Shandong Province. The cumulative incidence in the mainland China totaled 105 confirmed cases (1 in Shandong Province, 40 in Zhejiang Province, 33 in Shanghai City, 24 in Jiangsu Province, 3 in Auhui Province, 3 in Henan Province and 1 in Beijing City), including 21 deaths (5 in Zhejiang Province, 12 in Shanghai City, 3 in Jiangsu Province, and 1 in Anhui Province). 

The first confirmed case in Shandong is a 36-year-old man living in Shizhong District of Zaozhuang City and engaged in building material wholesaling. The patient visited the Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital on April 21 after 6 days of fever and coughing and 1 day of shortness of breath. He was hospitalized for treatment as a “severe pneumonia case”. Infection of H7N9 virus was confirmed on April 23, and the patient is now under severe condition. The disease investigation showed that no abnormality has been found in the 9 persons in close contact with the patient. 

The Command Center has continued the tightened quarantine measures on travelers who have a fever, cough and have been to the H7N9 affected areas (Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Beijing City, Henan Province and Shandong Province) in the mainland China within 7 days. The Center reminded doctors again that such patients should be reported within 24 hours as regulated by law. For unconfirmed cases, severe cases should be treated in isolation at a local hospital, while mild cases may be placed under health self-management after having specimens taken at a hospital, but patients should wear a mask and be given appropriate health education. Judgment should also be made on the prescription of anti-influenza agents. Once a H7N9 case is confirmed, isolated treatment in a contingency hospital should be given, no matter severe or mild the case. The hospital should also upgrade its infection control level. 

The Command Center would like to appeal again: Taiwan nationals traveling to the H7N9 affected areas in the mainland China should keep good hygienic habits such as washing hands frequently and wearing a mask, refrain from contacting and feeding birds, avoid going to traditional markets with live poultry, and eat only fully cooked poultry and eggs. When returning to Taiwan, please wear a mask and consult a doctor immediately once symptoms such as fever and cough appear, and inform the doctor of your travel history. The latest updates about the epidemic and information about travel-related infectious diseases are available at the “H7N9 Flu” page and “International Travel Info” page of the Center for Disease Control website (http://www.cdc.gov.tw). Alternatively, citizens may also call the toll-free reporting and care hotline 1922, or 0800-001922 disease prevention hotline if short-number calls cannot be made with their phone.