Taiwan's proposed ban on the slaughter of poultry in traditional markets will take effect sooner than planned, as the government seeks to prevent the spread of a new strain of avian influenza.
The ban will take effect May 17, a month earlier than previously planned, a cabinet spokeswoman said. The announcement of the new ban was made on April 25, just one day after the confirmation of case where a man from Taiwan was infected with the H7N9 virus. This was the first confirmed case of an H7N9 infection outside of China in 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Three health workers who were exposed to the patient and subsequently exhibited respiratory problems tested negative for the virus, Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control stated. The patient is reported to be in stable condition.
