US-bound Taiwanese visitors warned of major viral outbreak

Taiwanese citizens intending to visit the United States should be on their guard against mosquito bites as the country is in the midst of one its worst outbreaks of West Nile virus, the Department of Health (DOH) warned yesterday.

Citing US government data, Chou Jih-haw, deputy director-general of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the DOH, said there have been 41 deaths from the mosquito-borne virus in the US so far this year.

As Taiwan has close engagements with the US, Chou said, the CDC has tightened monitoring and take all precautionary measures against the disease at local airports and harbors.

“To date, no inbound passengers have been detected to have been infected with the virus, nor has any Taiwanese national fallen victim to the infection after visiting the US,” Chou said.

Nonetheless, he went on, US-bound travellers should stay alert and protect themselves from mosquito bites while there.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes that have previously bitten infected birds, dogs, cats or rabbits.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2012/08/24/351999/US-bound-Taiwanese.htm

 

Category: Health