TAIPEI: The Department of Health (DOH) is closely monitoring the potential spread of disease in southern Taiwan areas devastated by flooding from Typhoon Morakot, according to a senior official with the DOH's Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

CDC deputy director-general Lin Ting told CNA on Monday that although there have been no reports from affected areas of group infections of A (H1N1) influenza or other diseases, the CDC will still closely monitor the situation there, as 10,000 new cases of the H1N1 flu strain were reported in the past week around Taiwan.

Lin said the CDC has also prepared 23,000 doses of tetanus boosters to prevent wounded disaster victims and relief workers in flood-affected areas from getting lockjaw.

Lin made the remarks after visiting flood-affected regions Monday. He said most ailing people in the disaster areas are suffering from either gastrointestinal diseases, infections of the upper respiratory tract, or skin problems due to poor hygiene in the wake of the flooding.

Meanwhile, he said, the CDC will assess whether to include victims from flood-affected areas on the priority list of people entitled to receive A (H1N1) influenza vaccines. The list currently includes pregnant women and medical personnel.

Concerns that the flu is becoming more widespread in Taiwan have mounted after 400 alternative military servicemen in a military barrack in central Taiwan showed flu-like symptoms recently in the single largest cluster infection in the island to date.

As of noon Monday, according to Lin, 81 had tested positive for influenza A, and laboratory screening confirmed some to have the H1N1 flu strain and others the seasonal H3 strain.

"The patients are all mild cases and are being treated with Tamiflu," Lin said.

In related news, eight Taiwanese wind musicians who are attending an international music festival in Jeju Island, tested positive for the A (H1N1) flu virus Monday, South Korean health authorities said yesterday

Six other Taiwanese wind instrument players were put under observation Monday after they developed high fever, the authorities said.

CNA

(HK Edition 08/19/2009 page2)