The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday reminded people to avoid coming into contact with domestic birds or consuming raw poultry and eggs as a precaution against avian influenza during the Lunar New Year.
During the Lunar New Year, people can be at greater risk of contracting the communicable disease because of the high number of chickens, ducks and geese killed at traditional markets during the holiday, CDC Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-haw (周志浩) said.
Those visiting parks with wild birds during the holiday should also be careful, Chou said.
Last year, the A(H5N1) strain of flu claimed 34 lives out of a total of 61 cases reported worldwide, WHO statistics showed. The vast majority of cases were concentrated in Egypt, Indonesia and Cambodia.
That same year, the number of animals infected with the H5N1 virus reached 462 cases in 21 countries, with many incidences found in Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Hong Kong, Chou said.
Response levels for Hong Kong were scaled up to “serious” when a Little Egret was diagnosed with the flu on Thursday last week.
The infection path of avian flu in humans is through the mouth, eyes and nasal mucus, Chou said, and he urged people to pay special attention to their personal hygiene.
If people travel abroad over the holiday, they should check if the country they are visiting has reported any cases of H5N1 or has been declared an epidemic region, he said.
Those returning to Taiwan from abroad with flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash, should seek medical assistance immediately at an airport quarantine station or from a doctor and inform medical staff of their travel history, Chou said.
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