The bureau said it has also instructed local departments to enforce stricter inspections at poultry farms, report any abnormal situations immediately and help the farms to conduct disinfection operations.
On reports that the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture said pigeon samples from Shanghai were found to contain the H7N9 avian influenza virus, BAPHIQ deputy head Huang Kuo-ching (黃國青) said pigeons and pet birds in Taiwan have always been monitored for avian influenza and so far H7N9 avian influenza has not been found in their droppings.
However, if the H7N9 avian influenza continues to spread and causes possible infections in Taiwan, then pigeon races may be canceled, he added.
Meanwhile, Hualien Hospital said it would hold a flu drill next week given the increasing number of confirmed human cases of the H7N9 avian flu strain in China and since the county where the hospital is located is a popular destination for Chinese tourists.
The drill will be modeled on the measures taken during a SARS outbreak in Taiwan in 2003, focusing on hospital entry and exit arrangements, fever screening, quarantine and treatment, said the hospital, which offers medical tourism services. The hospital is popular among Chinese visitors seeking such services.
Additional reporting by CNA
RSS