H1N1 UPDATE: SECOND DEATH RECORDED AS CASES TOP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001010 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/IHA, OES/IHB FOR AMB LOFTIS, HHS FOR MARK ABDOO, CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID, BANGKOK FOR CDC BAGGETT, USDA/FAS FOR OFSO/WAINIO OSTA/HAMILTON, OCRA/BEILLARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLU KFLO TBIO XE TW SUBJECT: H1N1 UPDATE: SECOND DEATH RECORDED AS CASES TOP 9,000 REF: A. TAIPEI 756 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. DEPT OF STATE COMMUNITY "MADE IN TAIWAN" POSTINGS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Taiwan authorities estimate there are over 9,000 individuals in Taiwan currently infected with H1N1. The island recorded its second H1N1 death last week, and a further three individuals are still hospitalized with severe cases. Taiwan CDC (TCDC) is reviewing treatment guidelines after Taiwan this week reported its first severe case in a pregnant woman. The Adimmune Corporation is reportedly on track to deliver 5 million doses of H1N1 vaccine production by the end of October. TCDC has not reported an up-tick in H1N1 infections in areas affected by Typhoon Morakot, but notes that conditions in displaced-persons shelters could facilitate the transmission of new cases. END SUMMARY. -------------- Taiwan Records Second H1N1 Death -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On August 15, Taiwan recorded its second H1N1 death: a six year-old girl from southern Taiwan. (Note: the island's first death case was a 39 year-old male from northern Taiwan, who passed away on July 30 (Reftel b). End note.) The young girl developed flu-like symptoms on July 25 and was checked into a medical care center five days later. After two weeks of intensive care her symptoms worsened and she eventually succumbed to her illness. Meanwhile, on August 15, Taiwan CDC (TCDC) announced its first severe case of H1N1 in a pregnant woman. The 25 year-old female, who is 24 weeks pregnant, developed flu-like symptoms on August 9. Her situation progressed into pneumonia on August 13, and she was subsequently confirmed to be carrying H1N1. This patient is still under intensive care. TCDC is working with the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology to develop treatment guidelines for pregnant women, who are at a higher risk for H1N1 infection. TCDC recommends pregnant women receive priority for vaccinations, and will post new guidelines on its website when they are approved. In total, TCDC has confirmed 25 severe cases of H1N1 island-wide. Of these, 19 patients have been treated and discharged, one remains in a public ward of the hospital, three are still in intensive care, and two have died. ¶3. (SBU) TCDC confirmed on August 17 the largest H1N1 cluster infection so far in Taiwan. 374 new military draftees at a training center in Taichung developed flu-like symptoms on August 17, and TCDC has confirmed 81 are carrying H1N1. TCDC says these patients are all exhibiting mild symptoms and the situation is under control. TCDC reports that there have been a total of 43 H1N1 cluster infections in Taiwan, and estimates the total number of individuals infected with H1N1 island-wide has reached at least 9,000. ¶4. (SBU) TCDC Deputy Director Lin Ding confirmed to us that on October 1, TCDC will begin providing 2.99 million doses of free seasonal flu vaccine to the public, with people over 65, children between six months old and the fourth grade, medical personnel, animal husbandry workers, nursing home workers, and patients with rare or severe diseases receiving priority for inoculation. Lin added that TCDC has contracted Adimmune Corporation, the Taiwan company producing an H1N1 vaccine, to provide 5 million doses to TCDC by the end of October. The company is reportedly producing 200,000 doses daily and will begin human clinical trials in early October. -------------- Morakot Not Impacting H1N1 (So Far) -------------- ¶5. (SBU) A TCDC official said there are currently no signs of increased H1N1 infection in areas affected by Typhoon Morakot, but warned of an increased likelihood of cluster infections in displaced-persons shelters. Deputy Director Lin told us that following the typhoon, medical booths were set up in disaster areas, and that TCDC issued a waiver of H1N1 lab testing for flood victims so that they can receive Tamiflu if doctors suspect the possibility of H1N1 infection. In addition, TCDC is providing free tetanus shots to soldiers and volunteers helping in relief efforts, because TAIPEI 00001010 002 OF 002 skin traumas are relatively common among relief workers. Separately, Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Zhi-guo, who is overseeing emergency operations from Taipei, told us last week TCDC has been effectively communicating with donors, and that there are no medicine shortages. Mao said some donated medicines were accepted but had to be discarded later because of improper labeling or non-compliance with Taiwan pharmaceuticals health and safety standards. WANG