Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2013-04-09
A shot in the arm for bird flu vaccine hopes? (Photo/China Times) |
Once Taiwan
obtains samples of the new H7N9 bird flu virus, it will be able to produce
vaccines within two months, a health official said Monday.
Department
of Health deputy minister Lin Tzou-yien said there are three ways to obtain the
H7N9 virus — through the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in the United States, and China.
He said
that if the virus comes from China, it will take two months to purify and
screen it before vaccine production can begin. If, however, it can be obtained
from the WHO or the CDC, then production can begin immediately.
"Taiwan
is capable of completing production and starting clinical tests in six to eight
weeks," he said.
He noted
that currently, the H7N9 situation in China is still at the level-three stage
(animal and limited human infection, with no human-to-human infection).
Should it
be upgraded to level four (human-to-human infection and continuous community
infection), the Executive Yuan will issue an emergency decree.
In such a
scenario, vaccine production will skip the two-stage human tests that
constitute normal procedure, Lin said.
The
government will also prioritize vaccination for high-risk groups such as those
in regular contact with poultry and front-line medical personnel.
Whether to
include Taiwanese businessmen operating in H7N9-affected areas of China will
need further assessment, Lin added.
The CDC has
listed the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, as well as the cities of
Shanghai and Nanjing, as areas affected by the H7N9 virus.
The health
department also said that two Taiwanese epidemiologists that traveled to
Shanghai over the weekend to learn more about China's strategy for combating
the new bird flu strain will also have discussions with the Chinese authorities
about obtaining the H7N9 virus.
China has
confirmed 24 cases of H7N9 flu, with seven deaths so far.
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