After an emergency meeting, Taiwan's Disease Administration Department has declared swine flu as a level-one infectious disease. It also vowed to keep the public updated on the latest news. Threat of the epidemic triggered a surge in sales of disease prevention supplies.

Taiwan authorities have launched an epidemic-fighting mechanism in response to swine flu. So far, no cases have been reported in the region, but the public has begun to take preventive measures.

In pharmacies and drug stores, surgical masks are flying off the shelves. Stores are increasing their stock to avoid a repeat of the acute shortage of masks experienced during the SARS epidemic.

A mask manufacturer said, "We receive e-mail orders from customers even during the weekends. There are also lots of phone calls for additional orders."

Mask manufacturers say sales have doubled. And sales of clinical thermometers and hand cleansers are increasing by 10 percent a day.

(CCTV April 29, 2009)