Avian Flu: In Taiwan or Not?

Abstract

In the Brevia “Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus infection in migratory birds” (J. Liu et al. , 19 Aug., p. [1206][1]), Fig. 1 showed Taiwan as one of the areas affected by the avian influenza virus H5N1. This figure is incorrect. A surveillance program for monitoring avian influenza virus has been active in Taiwan since 1998, and H5N1 has not been found. Taiwan is also recognized as being free from avian influenza by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). # Response {#article-title-2} The information on H5 avian influenza virus in Taiwan came from two Web sites ([1][2], [2][3]). The first Web site claimed the identification of H5N1 from red-faced ducks (Muscovy ducks) in Kim-meng (Jinmen), Taiwan ([1][2]), and the second claimed that H5N2 viruses were isolated from chicken farms in the counties of Changhwa (Zhanghua) and Tainan, Taiwan. Therefore, we believe that our figure is correct. 1. 1.[↵][4]See . 2. 2.[↵][5]See . [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1115273 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1. in text [5]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2. in text