TAIPEI: The swine flu or A (H1N1) influenza outbreak in Taiwan has shown signs of subsiding in the past two weeks, a senior health official said yesterday.

The slowing trend is encouraging, indicating that the "325" class suspension criterion introduced by the "education ministry" has been effective in helping to contain the disease, said Lin Ting, deputy director-general of the Centers for Disease control under the Department of Health (DOH).

The "325" criterion means that any class in which two students develop flu-like symptoms in three days should be closed for five days.

"We were worried that the re-opening of local schools in early September after the summer break would escalate the outbreak, but developments over the past two weeks show that our '325' prevention strategy is working well and that schools at all levels have been strictly following the regulations," Lin said.

However, he advised continued caution, particularly among people in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, and good health practices like frequent hand washing, to prevent any possible fresh outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that two more swine flu patients had been hospitalized as of yesterday morning for treatment of severe symptoms, bringing to 271 the total number of such cases recorded in Taiwan.

The total number included 16 fatalities and 48 patients who are still recuperating in hospitals, with the others having recovered and been discharged.

While the outbreak has shown signs of abating, further observation is required to track future developments, CECC officials said.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 09/22/2009 page2)