Taiwan has confirmed its first locally acquired case of a novel H7 avian virus — a man in central Taiwan whose condition has improved following treatment, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday.
Taiwan has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of this case.
The infection is an isolated instance of bird-to-human transmission that is unrelated to previous H7N9 outbreaks, it added.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
At press time last night the 70-plus-year-old duck farmer from Changhua County was in hospital, but was recovering, the CDC said.
Health and agricultural authorities have launched joint efforts to investigate and identify potential sources of infection, including poultry farms and wild birds, while monitoring the surrounding environment and people who have had contact with the man, it said.
The CDC’s preliminary assessments suggest it is an isolated bird-to-human transmission that is unrelated to the H7N9 outbreaks in China from 2013 to 2018 or the imported cases previously reported in Taiwan, CDC Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said, urging the public not to panic.
While the CDC is not concerned about an outbreak, it advised people at a higher risk of infection to take extra precautions.
The novel influenza A strain is mostly transmitted from animals to humans, with people who have close contact with birds at a higher risk, CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said.
In addition to common respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough, H7 subtype infections can cause conjunctivitis and, in severe cases, pneumonia, and should not be taken lightly, she said.
People engaged in poultry and livestock farming and related industries should take strict personal protection measures, including wearing masks, gloves and rubber boots at work, and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting afterward, she said.
Lin also recommended regular vaccination against seasonal influenza to reduce the risk of severe illness.
If symptoms such as fever, cough or eye discomfort occur, they should seek medical attention, and inform doctors of their occupation and animal contact history to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment, she added.
CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) reminded the public to follow the “5 Dos and 6 Don’ts” to prevent infection or spread of the disease.
The “5 Dos” are: thoroughly cooking meat and eggs; washing hands frequently and wearing a mask; if symptoms appear, seeking medical attention and informing medical staff of any exposure; getting vaccinated for people who have long-term contact with poultry or livestock; and maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise, she said.
The “6 Don’ts” are: eating raw poultry products; purchasing meat from unknown sources; contact with or feeding poultry and livestock; improperly disposing of poultry or livestock waste; raising different types of birds together; and going to poorly ventilated or crowded places, she said.
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