H1N1 center disbands as second wave ends

Chu Li-Luan, commander-in-chief of CECC said on Monday that the second wave of H1N1 in Taiwan is over and no new local outbreak of H1N1 infection has occurred during the Chinese New Year Holiday. He said it showed that the implementation of relevant disease control policies has effectively stopped the spread of the virus.

As the H1N1 outbreaks were not as serious as it was expected, there were criticisms in Taiwan and worldwide that the H1N1 influenza was a false alarm. However, WHO responded that labeling the pandemic as “fake” is to ignore recent history and science and to trivialize the deaths of over 14,000 people and the many serious illnesses experience by others.

Chen Chien-Jen, ex-minister of the Department of Health, said H1N1 was really a huge threat last year. He said the possibility of the third wave of H1N1 influenza still could not be ruled out. CECC should observe for at least one more month before disbanding. CECC said they would set up the center again if there is a third wave.

H1N1 influenza killed 41 Taiwanese and made 908 people seriously ill. CECC was set up on April 28 of last year in response to WHO's call. The government spent about NT$3 billion to buy 15 million vaccines and opened about 3,000 clinics for the public to receive the vaccinations. 5.64 millions of vaccines were used to immunize 25 percent of the nation. 75 percent among those aged under 18 were inoculated. The remaining 9 million H1N1 vaccines will be saved for future use or donated to other nations.

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