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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 CDC keeps level 2 alert for avian flu strain
The Centers for Disease Control building in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Lin Hui-chin, Taipei Times
LOW RISK: None of the deceased’s close contacts contracted the virus, and it is being viewed as an isolated incident with low risk of triggering an epidemic, officials said
By Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNA
The Centers for Disease Control （CDC） yesterday continued its level 2 travel alert for China’s Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, after a Chinese woman died of combined H3N2 and H10N5 strains of avian flu in a global first.
The CDC received a report from Chinese health authorities on Tuesday, describing a new case of fatal H10N5 infection in Anhui Province that originated via cross-species transmission, it said in a news release.
The sexagenarian, who had underlying health conditions, first presented symptoms on Nov. 30 last year and was hospitalized two days later at a medical facility in Zhejiang Province, where she died on Dec. 16, the CDC said, citing the Chinese report.
A sample from the woman on Jan. 22 tested positive for the two strains of bird flu and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the result four days later, it said.
None of the deceased’s close contacts in Anhui and Zhejiang tested positive for either virus strain, suggesting that the infection was zoonotic, CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo （羅一鈞） said.
Citing Chinese health officials, tests on viral genetic materials revealed that the pathogens had originated from birds and the risk of human-to-human spread was low, he said.
This case marked the first human death by H10N5 and the WHO has yet to publish its evaluation of the virus’ infection risks or symptom severity, he said.
Current vaccines are effective against common flu viruses, but do not target H10N5, Lo said, adding that personal precautions are the main defense against the avian flu’s spread for now.
A total of 445 people submitted to voluntary H10N5 tests at Taiwan’s international airports and no traveler from China or its territories of Hong Kong and Macau had tested positive as of Saturday, he said.
The case in Anhui is likely an isolated incident with a low risk of triggering epidemic spread, the CDC said.
The CDC urged the public to only consume meat and eggs that are fully cooked, wash their hands with soap, wear a mask, seek medical attention if ill, make a full report of contact history to doctors when prompted and be vaccinated if expecting prolonged exposure to farm-raised animals.
People should refrain from trafficking or consuming meat products of uncertain origin, unnecessary contact with fowl and other farm-raised animals, wilding farm-raised animals or allowing them to mix with other animal populations, the CDC said.
The public is advised to avoid crowded or enclosed areas, while exercise and a balanced diet could increase immune system function, it said.
H10N5 is a type of novel influenza A virus, a term referring to viruses other than seasonal influenza A viruses commonly circulating in the human population, the CDC said, adding that these viruses usually jump the species barrier from birds or mammals.
The CDC has issued level 1 travel advisories for novel influenza A viruses for 18 Chinese provinces and administrative zones, and level 2 travel alerts for 13 provinces and zones where cases were reported, it said.
A level 1 advisory and level 2 alert respectively indicate that normal and enhanced precautions should be taken for travel in the designated areas, CDC guidelines state.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
