In order to enhance cross-departmental collaboration and understanding of the standard procedures, the DOH has adopted the concept of military drills for disease-control mobilization. The DOH has devised a possible course of development for the flu epidemic and conducted a drill for a Level A2 pandemic situation (ie, suspected human infections of avian flu in Taiwan) on July 7 this year. The highly successful drill included devising operational strategies, quarantine of travelers from epidemic areas, investigation into the magnitude of the crisis and hospitalization of suspected cases.
I traveled to Washington recently where a flu pandemic was the focus of my discussions -- even the US did not have the confidence to declare that it was fully prepared for a pandemic. The US is willing to work with our government in preventing novel influenza.
After the dreadful experience of dealing with the SARS outbreak in Taiwan in 2003, the DOH is wary of a new pandemic and is determined to be a global leader in preparing for the crisis. We urge the public to trust the authorities, to pay attention to information released by the government and to follow the prescribed preventive measures.
On the whole, a pandemic caused by the novel influenza bacteria is likely to occur, even though we are unable to predict the exact time of its occurrence.
However, through analysis of data that are currently available, the number of novel influenza infections in both humans and animals are on the rise. Researchers have also discovered incidents of mass outbreak and suspected human-to-human transmission. As a result, most experts believe that the novel-influenza strain H5N1 is undergoing continuous changes and is becoming more flexible in adapting to the human body. Consequently, they believe the next pandemic is just around the corner.
Such a pandemic will bring unprecedented disruption to the economic and social security systems as well as health care services, even causing them to shut down or disintegrate. We are at a critical point in history to respond to a pandemic. We are running against time in our preparation for the looming crisis. The health authorities alone cannot accomplish the mission, and even cross-departmental collaboration cannot reverse the tide. Only with public consensus and support for government regulations and guidelines can we can minimize losses in what threatens to be the pandemic of the century.
Hou Sheng-mou is the minister of the Department of Health.
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