Yunlin County Government kicked off epidemic prevention system. Hospitals are
enhanced with feedback channel and whole poultry industry are advised to have
disinfection and self-prevention measures in place to prevent the H7N9 avian
influenza.
In regard of the worlds first human H7N9 avian flu cases reported in China,
Yunlin County Government continue to strengthen avian influenza monitoring
on all the poultry farms within its jurisdiction. Deputy governor and Secretary-
General had led the countys Livestock Disease Control Center, Agriculture
Department, Health Bureau, Environmental Protection Bureau, and other units to
inspect and disinfect poultry farms and the surrounding in Huwei area to prevent
any outbreak of the epidemic.
Deputy Governor said, the County Government has taken various early warning
and disease prevention measures, to strengthen the countys monitoring and
reporting mechanisms, measures are as follow:
1. Strengthen all communication channels with physicians in the county and
request livestock and poultry owners to immediately report back to the Health
Bureau should there be any cold symptoms. County citizens are advised to
wear masks if they found themselves with fever or flu-like symptoms when
returning from oversea. Patients need to provide true travel history in order
to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, through any other
possible means to persuade livestock owners to report to local health clinic if
any flu symptoms are seen.
2. Have more visit to the countys poultry farms and strengthen disinfection
& epidemic prevention measures: Perform more than regular visit to the
countys poultry farms for epidemic inspection. If any suspected bird flu is
reported, contingency measures need to be taken immediately and persuade
poultry farms owners to disinfect all equipment. Non-authorized vehicle and
personnel in and out of the site should be restricted. Disinfection facility
should be at both entry and exits. All personnel need to wear special work
clothes and shoes before entry. Any one who has recently visited China is
prohibited to enter the animal farm premises.
3. Countys poultry industry must be vigilant and strengthen the bio-security of
the farm. Avian flu transmits mainly through contact with infected birds. In
order to effectively prevent infected bird media and disease occur, poultry
owners have to enhance the bio-security measures on the farm. If large
number of dead chicken suddenly appeared, or chicken head and comb
swollen, sinus swelling, depression, and number of eggs lay is suddenly drop,
owners need to contact the Yunlin County Livestock Disease Control Center
for definitive diagnosis so necessary disease prevention measure can be
given as soon as possible.
Deputy governor also encourage people, people should be pro-active on
personal health management when face the threat of avian flu. Minimum contact
with poultry and wash hands regularly can provide better personal hygiene. Look
for CAS certified label when purchasing meats and eggs and always cook them
thoroughly before human consumption.