|
|
Based on fundamental aspects, the life style in Taiwan is quite different from that in China and the Southeast countries. As long as the viruses do not invade Taiwan, there would not be an epidemic outbreak. The Council of Agriculture (COA) has been conducting surveillance on migratory birds, poultry, and pigs for AI viruses in recent years, and so far no sign of AI viruses such as H5N1 has been observed. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is also actively conducting the surveillance on human cases. To date, all patients with suspected symptoms and patients in contact with epidemic diseases have been inspected and excluded from the possibility of infection. Furthermore, the National Health Research Institutes also works aggressively on the development of antiviral agents and vaccine production techniques. The National Health Research Institutes will cooperate with CDC to finish the mass production of Tamiflu in Taiwan.
|
|
|
1. Prevention measures
With the following measures, Taiwan remains its free status of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI):
(1) Surveillance of migratory birds and poultry: Since 1986, the Council of Agriculture in Taiwan has conducted studies on AI and surveillance of poultry. The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) of the COA is continuing the surveillance of AI on poultry, and migratory birds are also included in the surveillance. Samples collected include fecal samples from migratory birds for virus isolation and identification. In addition, serum samples from poultry for antibody detection are also included. In 2003, 2,145 fecal samples from migratory birds and 40,350 serum samples from 1,419 poultry farms were tested. Up to the present, no HPAI antibodies or viruses have been detected.
(2) Eradication of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI):
a. Stamping out, movement control, and disinfection of the farms where the infected cases were detected with LPAI.
b. The farm may be restocked only when it meets the specific sanitary criteria.
c. Sampling shall be conducted for 6 months within 3-km radius of sites where the LPAI infected cases located.
(3) Quarantine measures: Remove HPAI infected countries from the list of countries free of the disease and restrict the importation of live avian and their products from the infected countries. Reinforce quarantine inspection at international ports.
(4) Cooperation among government agencies: "Task force on the prevention of HPAI" is formed among government agencies including the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Center for Disease Control of the Department of Health, Coast Guard Administration, Government Information Office, Environmental Protection Administration, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Ministry of Finance. Academic and scientific experts plus representatives from the poultry industry are also included.
(5) Prompt diagnosis: The tests on samples collected for surveillance will be carried out in an accurate and rapid way to promptly gain the epidemiological information.
(6) Exercise for emergency control: The BAPHIQ held a drill for emergency control of HPAI at Pingtung County on January 19, 2004 to educate animal disease control workers to familiarize with the procedures.
(7) Crackdown on Smuggling: Coast Guard Administration and the Customs have reinforced to crackdown on smuggling of animals or animal products.
(8) Transparency on disease information: The results of surveillance were provided to the public through press release. Such information release will be continued.
(9) Education to the farmers and the public: Educational training for disease prevention and control measures have been provided to and will continue to provide to the farmers. The public has also been educated to learn the importance of animal disease prevention and quarantine.
2. World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) designates HPAI as a notifiable disease but not LPAI. For LPAI, each country can adopt its own prevention measures based on the appropriate level of protection set by the country. Taiwan set a high level of protection and adopted stamping out policy in order to prevent the existence of LPAI virus.
|
|
|
1. Not only routine and additional surveillance, but also preventive stamping out measures are executed on LPAI infected sites to minimize the possibility of HPAI invasion. Moreover, BAPHIQ is working with veterinary institutions on HPAI related research, and strengthen the trace-back system for poultry.
2. Close monitoring of the international HPAI epidemics and strict quarantine measures against HPAI were implemented and will be continued.
3. Cooperate with Department of Health, Coast Guard Administration and the Customs to crackdown smuggling of animals and animal products.
4. Strengthen communication with the public regarding the followings:
(1) Surveillance program and the preventive stamping out policy.
(2) The virus isolates identified in Taiwan were confirmed to be LPAI which is not a human pathogen. Consumers need not to worry about the safety of chicken meat.
(3) Advice to the public not to smuggle agricultural products and buy products of unknown source.
(4) Advice to the farmers to adopt safeguard measures including installation of birds-proof nets, movement control of people and vehicles in and out of the farms, and disinfection of the farms, etc., and to notify official animal disease control units for suspected cases.
|
