TAIWAN CONFIRMS 17 CASES OF H1N1 FLU

UNCLAS TAIPEI 000660 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS 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 TW CH SUBJECT: TAIWAN CONFIRMS 17 CASES OF H1N1 FLU REF: TAIPEI 626 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Since our last report Taiwan health officials have confirmed 17 cases of the H1N1 virus, including a case of locally contracted H1N1 virus. Authorities have downgraded Taiwan from a pandemic alert level of "Yellow 3" to "Yellow 2" since no new cases of local transmission have taken place. All of the 8 new H1N1 cases identified since our last report (reftel) have originated from overseas. H1N1 vaccine strain samples are pending arrival from the UK and U.S. but TCDC already has a H1N1 vaccine strain sample from Australia. END SUMMARY. EIGHT NEW H1N1 CASES WITHIN A WEEK -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Taiwan had as of 3:00 pm June 5, seventeen confirmed cases of H1N1 virus. Continuing from our last report (reftel),case no. 10 was a Taiwan national returning from Guizhou, PRC via Hong Kong arriving Taiwan May 23. He developed fever symptoms May 25 and sought medical care. Case no. 11 was a 19 year old Taiwan female returning student from the U.S. who returned via Boston, Chicago and Japan, arriving in Taipei May 27. Case no. 12, is a 33-year old Taiwan male businessman who traveled from New York via Hong Kong to Taiwan, arriving May 27. He did not develop fever symptoms upon arrival but checked into a hospital on May 30. Case no. 13 is an 8-year old Canadian born Chinese girl who traveled from Montreal via Vancouver to Taiwan arriving May ¶31. She was stopped at the airport and then sent to quarantine. Case no. 14, is an 8-year old Taiwan boy studying in Texas who returned on May 28 via LA. Case no. 15, is a 25-year old Taiwan male returning student from New York arrived via Hong Kong on May 29. He developed fever on June 2. Case no. 16 a 24 year old Taiwan male returning from New York via Hong Kong arrived June 1. He developed symptoms during the flight. Case no. 17, a 4-year old Taiwan child resident in the Philippines arrived from Manila on May 30 and developed a fever. MORE H1N1 FROM THE PHILIPPINES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Of the seventeen confirmed H1N1 cases, five still remain in hospital. The latest cases coming from the Philippines indicate that local spread of the H1N1 virus may already be widespread there. The Philippines has been upgraded to a yellow category 3 country, indicating local contagion of H1N1. TAIWAN READY TO PRODUCE VACCINE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Taiwan is in process of obtaining H1N1 vaccine strain samples from the UK and U.S. It has already obtained a vaccine strain sample from Australia and may start manufacturing the vaccine once the other samples arrive and are evaluated. The authorities have started an open bid process for procurement of H1N1 vaccines. YOUNG