The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says it is keeping an eye on 96 people who came into contact with a Chinese tourist confirmed to be infected with H7N9 avian flu.
The CDC said on Wednesday that the patient was confirmed on Tuesday as the third imported H7N9 case in Taiwan. The woman is now in an intensive care unit.
CDC official Chuang Jen-hsiang said before the patient arrived in Taiwan, she had been to a traditional market in China’s Jiangsu Province to buy chicken. He also said that the CDC believed that the patient contracted the virus while in China.
“We think that she contracted the disease in Nanjing, Jiangsu," said Chuang. "Just a few minutes ago we notified our contact under the International Health Regulations, and we’ve also notified Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau about the case.”
The CDC also said one of the 96 people has developed a fever and is undergoing further check-ups and tests. The results are expected later in the day.
Taiwan confirmed its first and second imported H7N9 cases from China last April and December.