Page 88 - 2024 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

2024 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

2. Novel Influenza A Virus Infections (Flu Pandemic) cases, 36 cases from the Navy's Friendship Flotilla,
(1) Information on the avian influenza epidemic 3 aircraft infections, and 4 cases of unknown origin.
was exchanged through an interagency 2. Border Quarantine
communication platform to ensure stringent (1) With the downgrading of COVID-19 prevention
surveillance of avian influenza variants and the risk measures, border quarantine policies have
of their spreading to humans. Health monitoring been steadily relaxed and opened, including the
took place among frontline workers handling the removal of requirements for PCR test reports
slaughter of poultry and cleaning and disinfection before arrival, on-arrival saliva PCR tests, entry
of poultry farms. A total of 1,523 individuals were quarantine, and self-health management. Airport
monitored in 2023, and no human infection with and seaport quarantine operations have returned
avian influenza was detected. to normal, with continued health assessments
(2) Surveillance of the antigenicity, drug resistance, and necessary measures for symptomatic arrivals.
and genetic changes of flu viruses as well (2) Regarding border traffic and related industries
as emergence of novel flus continued. With such as aircraft and various types of vessels
international norms / rules considered, the (commercial ships, offshore wind power vessels,
establishment of the Advance Purchase distant-water fishing boats, etc.), the competent
Agreement (APA) mechanism was proposed. authority of each targeted industry has already
The MOHW has reserved influenza antiviral drugs reviewed, integrated, and discontinued the
sufficient for 10-15% of the population. implementation of special pandemic prevention
plans formulated during COVID-19. Furthermore,
Section 6 Prevention and Control of
supervision was conducted to ensure that
COVID-19 industries incorporated self-initiated prevention
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan measures into their ongoing Business Continuity
officially designated COVID-19 as a Category V Planning (BCP).
communicable disease on January 15, 2020. This (3) To protect the health and safety of frontline
was followed by the establishment of the Central personnel at international and "Mini Three
Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on January 20 to Links" ports, guidelines for personnel health
take charge of the mobilization required to meet the management and environmental cleaning and
emergency. On May 1, 2023, considering the trend disinfection have been established. On-site
of milder COVID-19 and increased protection due to units use these to develop epidemic prevention
widespread vaccination, COVID-19 was reclassified management plans, implementing and
as a Category IV Communicable Disease. The CECC internalizing various infection control measures.
was deactivated on the same day, with the Ministry 3. Community Quarantine
of Health and Welfare establishing an inter-agency (1) After evaluating disease trends, domestic
prevention and control liaison committee to continue medical capacity and consulting international
COVID-19 preparedness and response work.
policies and experts, the case definition was
1. Overview adjusted from March 20, 2023. Only complicated
The end of 2023, COVID-19 continued to affect the (moderate to severe) cases meeting clinical
world, with at least 780 million confirmed cases and and laboratory criteria needed to be reported.
over 7.01 million deaths globally. WHO indicated Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases with
that the virus continues to mutate, posing an positive rapid tests were no longer required to
ongoing health threat. Domestically, there have been be reported or isolated, but needed to practice
a cumulative total of 1,0269,349 confirmed cases "0+n self-health management". After assessing
(including cases redefined since March 20, 2023), domestic and international situations, virus
with 10,210,842 domestic cases, 58,464 imported mutations, vaccination rates, and herd immunity,

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