DOH to expand anti-viral drug inventory to ward off H1N1 outbreak
Central News Agency 2009-08-24 06:11 PM Fonts Size:
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Taipei, Aug. 24 (CNA) Premier Liu Chao-shiuan ordered an increase in Taiwan's anti-viral drug supply on Monday in anticipation of a possible outbreak of influenza A(H1N1), more commonly known as swine flu, after schools reopen in September. His instruction came amid reports of the fourth and fifth A(H1N1) fatalities in Taiwan the same day.
Addressing a meeting of public health officials, Liu said the Department of Health (DOH) should collaborate with educational authorities to avert the spread of the disease as local schools will open soon after the summer break.
For one thing, the premier said, procurement and inventory of anti-viral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, should be expanded to meet the demand in case of an emergency.
As of Monday, Taiwan had confirmed five swine flu fatalities. CDC tallies also show that the number of severe cases has exceeded 40, with some patients still receiving treatment at hospitals.
The number of cluster H1N1 infections is also believed to have hit 100, and more than 10,000 Taiwanese people are coming down with the virus each week, according to CDC estimates.
Given the trend, the government's epidemic-fighting capability could be put to a test after local schools reopen next week, health experts said.
In response to the situation, the Cabinet's epidemic control advisory task force convened an emergency meeting Sunday.
It was decided during the meeting that the inventory of Tamiflu and Relenza will be raised to an amount sufficient for use by 30 percent of Taiwan's total population - or at least 7 million people - up from the original 18 percent.
After consulting with epidemic specialists, the CDC has also decided to ease regulations for anti-viral drug prescriptions. Under the relaxed rules, physicians will be authorized to prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza to certain categories of flu-like patients without the need of passing speedy screenings for the patients.
Those patients will include people with underlying chronic diseases, pregnant women, children under the age of 5, people who have come into contact with confirmed H1N1 patients, and those who have developed pneumonia or severe flu symptoms.
The DOH has also unveiled guidelines for school closures. The criteria stipulates that if two or more students in the same class are confirmed to have contracted the flu, either the seasonal or swine flu, the whole class should stay home for five days.
At present, some city and county governments have ordered elementary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens and day care centers in their districts to monitor the temperatures of their students every day.
(By Sofia Wu)
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