In response to the H7N9 epidemic outbreak in the mainland China, the Central Epidemic Command Center for H7N9, Executive Yuan, convened the fifth meeting today (April 23), with all ministries and departments exchanging their endeavors and various executive strategies. Concerning the possible increase in the number of mainland travelers coming to Taiwan during the May 1 extended holiday of the mainland China, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that April, May and June are the boom season for tourism according to past experience, and the number of mainland travelers to Taiwan usually peaks in April. Preliminary estimates have it that the number of travelers to Taiwan during May 1 holiday this year should not see a great leap compared to last year. However, to tighten the H7N9 preventive control, the Tourism Bureau has reminded all associations of travel agents, travel agents receiving tours from the mainland, online tour guides and all Tourism Bureau-related agencies again to make sure tour guides, tour leaders and other tour staff keep closer watch over the tour members’ health condition, and urge them to keep good personal hygiene. In case of any member feeling physically unwell, a report should be made immediately and assistance should be given for getting medical consultation. 

The Council of Agriculture pointed out according to the announcement of the P.R.C. Ministry of Agriculture that the mainland government has taken samples at live poultry markets, poultry and pig slaughterhouses, poultry farms, pig farms, wild bird habitats and environmental sampling points for lab tests. By April 22, positive results for influenza A (H7N9) virus tests were detected in a total of 40 samples coming from 9 live poultry markets, 1 pigeon rearing household and 1 district (Qinhuai District of Nanjing City) in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces. Of these, 20 samples were from Shanghai, 1 from Anhui, 13 from Jiangsu and 6 from Zhejiang. As for the domestic animal health surveillance in Taiwan, the Council of Agriculture will continue strengthening epidemic inspection over poultry rearing farms and guidance for disease-prevention sterilization. By April 22, a total of 204 chicken farms, 111 duck farms, 31 goose farms, 426 pet birds, 35 pig farms, 48 native chicken and live poultry booths and 2,293 migratory birds’ excrements had been sampled and tested, with no influenza A (H7N9) antibody or virus detected. 

After verifying with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Command Center confirmed there were two new confirmed cases of H7N9 infection on April 22 (2 in Zhejiang Province). The cumulative incidence in the mainland China totaled 104 confirmed cases (33 in Shanghai City, 24 in Jiangsu Province, 40 in Zhejiang Province, 3 in Auhui Province, 1 in Beijing City and 3 in Henan Province), with 21 deaths (12 in Shanghai City, 3 in Jiangsu Province, 5 in Zhejiang Province and 1 in Anhui Province). H7N9 affected areas in the mainland China currently include Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Beijing City and Henan Province. On the other hand, a total of 10 suspected cases were reported in Taiwan from 8:00 a.m. yesterday (April 22) to 8:00 a.m. today (April 23), of which 1 specimen was taken after medical evacuation from the airport (negative result in lab test), and 9 cases were reported by medical care institutions. One of the cases is under examination, and the rest are found to be H7N9 negative in lab test (1 is H1N1 positive and the others are negative). Besides, H7N9 infection is ruled out for the 1 case under examination as announced in yesterday’s press conference (which is a H1N1 positive case). 

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.