A delegation of health officials and epidemiologists inspected epidemic control measures on Kinmen yesterday in preparation for a possible influx of Chinese tourists to the island.
China's Fujian provincial government announced last week that it will soon allow its residents to make sightseeing trips to Kinmen and Matsu via the "small three links" routes.
Department of Health (DOH) Deputy Director-General Chang Hung-jen (
At present, only Thailand and Vietnam have confirmed reports of avian flu cases, but Chang said he believes there are cases in China.
"China's outbreak has not drawn attention mainly because of a lack of transparency in its epidemic situation," Chang said.
Against this backdrop, he said, the health department must reinforce epidemic control measures on Kinmen and Matsu in preparation for the arrival of Chinese tour groups.
Chang said that temperature-taking measures for those who arrive via the "small three links" routes will remain in place. Epidemic treatment services at Kinmen hospitals and an emergency delivery system for airlifting seriously ill patients to Taiwan should also be further improved, he said. The number of quarantine rooms at Kinmen hospitals will also be increased.
Since Taiwan opened the "small three links" routes between Kinmen and Matsu and Fujian's Xiamen and Mawei in January 2002, more than 500,000 visits have been made via the routes. Most of the passengers have been Kinmen or Matsu residents and Taiwanese businesspeople operating in China.
The Chinese authorities have so far not allowed their citizens to travel to Kinmen and Matsu for leisure trips. Over the past three-plus years, only 448 Chinese party and government officials have visited the two islands -- 165 to Kinmen and 283 to Matsu -- via the routes.
With the Fujian authorities finally agreeing to allow their residents to visit the two islands, Chang said epidemic control measures should be strengthened.
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