China reports two more cases of human H7N9 bird flu, Taiwan says they will pay for medical costs associated with H7N9 flu
In an update on the outbreak of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China, Chinese authorities have notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of two additional cases and two new fatalities, according to a WHO Global Alert and Response May 2.
Image/CIA
The new cases include a 58-year-old man from Fujian province who became ill on 21 April 2013 and the second patient is a 69-year-old man from Hunan province who became ill on 23 April 2013.
This bring the total confirmed cases to 128. With the addition of two deaths in cases reported previously, the total death count for this outbreak is now 26 (a case fatality rate of about 20%).
In Taiwan they announced, where at least one traveler to China tested positive for the serious virus, beginning May 1, 2013, the government will cover medical costs associated with H7N9 flu, including isolation ward charges, viral test fees, medicine costs and meals, for foreign nationals who are not covered by National Health Insurance and found to have contracted the disease by health authority, while all other medical costs are the patient’s own responsibility.
In addition, the Taiwan CDC has designed “Travel Health Notice for Avian Influenza A (H7N9)” for distribution to passengers taking cross-strait direct flights between China and Taiwan to remind travelers to prepare personal protection products, take heed of signs and symptoms of illness, and provide travelers with ways to seek health consultations locally in order to facilitate close monitoring of suspected H7N9 cases and activation of relevant prevention measures.
The Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications has requested tour guides of tour groups from China, travel agencies and accommodation providers to prepare clinical thermometers and masks for tour group members as well as assist any tour group member with fever to seek medical attention and report the case to the appropriate authorities.
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