Page 90 - 2023 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

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wild birds, which can be animal hosts for West Nile systems. These laboratories were used as demo
virus. Furthermore, individuals who have been to labs for the government's promotion of self-
West Nile virus epidemic areas in the past month management capabilities at labs.
or have recovered from West Nile virus infection in (3) In 2022, a total of 606 entities in the country that
the past four months should temporarily refrain from possessed, stored, and used pathogens and
donating blood to prevent transmission of West Nile biological toxins in Risk Group 2 (RG2) or higher.
virus through blood transfusion. The types and numbers of these entities are
8. Established the diagnostic methodology for Langya shown in Table 6-2.
henipavirus and synthesized a positive control
Section 3 Research and Laboratory Testing
recombinant nucleic acid plasmid through genetic
synthesis. 1. In 2022, a total of 106,639 specimens were tested,
of which, 24,782 were found to contain a pathogen
Section 2 Healthcare-associated Infection
or tested positive for a related antibody, yielding a
Control and Laboratory Biosafety
positivity rate of 23.2%.
Management
2. Continuous screening for COVID-19 was conducted to
1. To strengthen infection control measures and monitor the prevalence and variations of community-
inspection mechanisms in long-term care facilities, transmitted strains. Monitoring of drug-resistant
a nationwide random inspection was conducted tuberculosis and zoonotic bovine tuberculosis was
on 529 institutions. Out of the 15 inspection items, carried out to detect tuberculosis clusters. Additionally,
450 institutions, accounting for 85.1%, met the an automated strain matching system for case
requirements. For those that did not pass the management was developed in 2022 to facilitate the
inspections, follow-up improvements have been identification of tuberculosis strains.
carried out by the local government in each county 3. The next-generation real-time whole-genome
and city. testing technology was employed to detect and

2. In order to monitor and analyze antimicrobial- monitor emerging diarrheal pathogens, including
resistant microorganisms and strengthen prevention monitoring epidemic pathogens, genetic types,
and control measures, the "Infection Control and and pathogen variations. This approach enabled
Antibiotic Stewardship Excellence Program" was real-time assessment of pathogen prevalence and
implemented. As of 2022, four hospitals designated activity, thereby enhancing the capacity for cluster
to be in charge had been certified under the prevention and control of diarrhea clusters.
program, and alliance groups had also passed 4. In 2022, assistance was provided to the Taiwan Blood
the evaluation. Additionally, 18 medical institutions
Services Foundation to analyze the correlation between
had submitted 33 creative epidemic prevention
blood transfusions and hepatitis virus infections. One
achievements with proven effectiveness.
case of suspected transfusion-transmitted infection
3. Laboratory biosafety management was reported, and testing confirmed that the case was
(1) Implemented laboratory biosafety inspections not caused by acute viral hepatitis C infection resulting
at domestic high-containment laboratories from blood transfusion.
and installation units with highly dangerous 5. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) was
pathogens and toxin use/storage. In 2022, the developed for the detection of Mycobacterium
document inspections of security management tuberculosis. In October 2022, the technology was
were completed at 18 biological laboratories. applied in the detection of 14 specific drugs required
(2) In 2022, a total of 15 domestic laboratories to treat cases of special drug-resistant tuberculosis.
conducting research on antimicrobial resistance This ensured personalized and precise diagnosis
were provided guidance and established the and treatment. The standardized whole genome
Laboratory Biosafety Management Manual. As of sequencing (WGS) was included in routine process to
2022, 158 laboratories of various biosafety levels accurately analyze the relationship between multiple
had implemented or operated management drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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