According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 266 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on November 30, 2015, including 244 cases in Kaohsiung City and 18 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 72 cases less than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 16 cases less than that reported during the same day last week. In addition, 10 new deaths associated with dengue infection were reported this week.

For the first time since this outbreak, the number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City last week is lower than that reported during the week before last week. Nevertheless, dengue activity remains rampant in the city. The majority of the reported cases occurred in Sanmin District, Fongshan District, Cianjhen District and Lingya District. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has conducted five times of vector site cleaning program in Kaohsiung City, which is in line with the pilot program for cleaning of vector breeding sites in place of insecticide spraying implemented by the Kaohsiung City Government. In addition, EPA also completed the three-day outdoor vector breeding site clean-up program conducted in 290 villages in four districts, including Sanmin District, Lingya District, Fongshan District and Cianjhen District, in Kaohsiung City. Modeling after a clean-up program implemented in Singapore, the program aimed to promote awareness on dengue prevention in the community and get the community involved in the clean-up and removal of vector breeding sites. Since this summer, a cumulative total of 39,350 indigenous dengue cases, including 22,648 cases in Tainan City, 15,930 cases in Kaohsiung City, 291 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed.

10 new deaths associated with dengue infection, including 5 women and 5 men, were confirmed this week. All resided in Kaohsiung City. Their ages ranged between 56 and 82. Their disease onset dates were between November 9 and 20 and their death dates were between November 14 and 26. Most of them had multiple chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which coincided with the conditions of high-risk patients listed in the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Thus far, a cumulative total of 184 deaths, including 112 deaths in Tainan City, 70 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection. 21 deaths, including 19 from Kaohsiung City and 2 from Tainan City, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 48 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 95.0% of the total reported cases, which is 37,386 patients, have recovered.

On the other hand, so far this year, a cumulative total of 316 imported dengue cases have been reported. Most of these imported cases came from countries in Southeast Asia. Among the countries in Southeast Asia, dengue activity remains rampant in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Travelers planning to visit affected areas are urged to take precautions against mosquitoes.

CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public to continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites in and around the residence to effectively prevent dengue transmission. When dengue fever is diagnosed, please follow the doctor’s instructions in completing the treatment, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and rest at home as much as possible to prevent the further spread of the virus through mosquitoes. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).