President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has instructed government agencies to provide comprehensive information to people traveling abroad and to reinforce entry inspection and quarantine, as cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) increased in South Korea.
Speaking at a national security meeting he called on Friday, Ma directed medical institutions in Taiwan to adopt prevention and control measures.
Officials from 14 ministries and agencies responsible for health and welfare, foreign affairs, interior affairs, communications, national defense, education, immigration, tourism and police administration were present.
Ma said that with frequent visits between Taiwan and neighboring countries, relevant government agencies must be prepared in case of an outbreak.
He instructed the Executive Yuan to bolster international cooperation in combating epidemics.
Ma highlighted the recently inaugurated Ebola Prevention Training Center, jointly established by the US and Taiwan, as an example of international cooperation.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that Taiwan joined the WHO’s International Health Regulations focal point system in 2009 and has since been able to share epidemic monitoring information with the global community.
The government also has direct contacts with the epidemic prevention and control agencies of nations around the world.
MERS, an illness caused by a virus, affects the respiratory system.
Most MERS patients develop severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, officials said.
It has a higher fatality rate than SARS, but seems less likely to spread easily, overseas health officials have said.
South Korea had reported 50 cases by yesterday, including four deaths.
Additional reporting by AFP
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