Legislators of the Legislative Yuan asked about concerns about the outbreak of pneumonic plague in Siberia, Russia. Executive Yuan Zhuo Rongtai (middle), Minister of Health and Welfare Shi Chongliang (left), and Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Qiu Chuizheng (right) provided explanations for the inquiry.
There is a suspected outbreak of pneumonic plague in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia. A 28-year-old female researcher died of unknown pneumonia. Suspected epidemics are reported in various parts of China, and people from all walks of life are worried about contracting "pneumonic plague". In this regard, Executive Director Zhuo Rongtai said that comprehensive monitoring and early prevention have been required, and no specific cases have occurred so far. Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Qiu Chuizheng pointed out that the CCP has always been opaque about the epidemic, and the Mainland Affairs Council will closely grasp relevant information and make early arrangements based on COVID-19 epidemic prevention experience.
The Legislative Yuan held a meeting today and invited Zhuo Rongtai to deliver his policy address and prepare questions. Ministers of Health and Welfare Shi Chongliang, Qiu Chuizheng and others were present.
DPP legislator Wang Dingyu pointed out during questioning that there was an outbreak of pneumonic plague in Siberia, Russia, with a mortality rate of nearly 100% and no cure. China is a close economic, trade and tourism partner of Russia, and similar messages have been issued in several provinces. However, the low transparency of the two countries may cover up the epidemic. Taiwan is close to China, and many Taiwanese businessmen travel across the Taiwan Strait. Do relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Mainland Affairs Council understand the situation?
Shi Chongliang responded that the Ministry of Health and Welfare contacted the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week to learn about the cause of suspected plague deaths in the Russian laboratory. However, no pathogen has been detected so far, and the relevant specimens have tested negative, and the epidemic has not yet been determined.
Regarding how to monitor the epidemic, Shi Chongliang proposed that plague is divided into three categories: "bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and septicemic plague." Although domestic antibiotics can treat it, pneumonic plague is transmitted through droplets, and its transmissibility is terrible. At the same time, the fatality rate is up to 60%, so the Ministry of Health and Welfare will pay close attention to international epidemic changes.
Qiu Chuizheng said that since the news of the plague emerged, the Mainland Affairs Council has been paying close attention to relevant information. In addition, the Chinese Communist Party has always been opaque about the epidemic, so the Mainland Affairs Council has learned the most immediate epidemic situation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and made advance arrangements based on past COVID-19 epidemic prevention experience. The Mainland Affairs Council is prepared to provide information to Taiwanese businessmen stationed in China and Chinese people traveling across the Taiwan Strait.
Zhuo Yongtai said that last week, the Executive Yuan Minister reported on the issue of pneumonic plague. At that time, he specifically requested the Ministry of Health and Welfare to closely contact international organizations and pay close attention to whether there is an epidemic in Russia. As for Taiwan's close exchanges with China, there are still a considerable number of people in the Little Three Links. He has requested comprehensive prosecution and early prevention. No specific incidents have happened yet, but monitoring will continue to be strengthened.
