On October 28, 2010, the Central Epidemic Command Center for Dengue Epidemic (CECC for Dengue Epidemic) announced three new indigenous cases of dengue fever in Taipei County.Two of the cases reside in Wugu Township, Taipei County who were detected through the expanded investigation.The other case resides in Sanchong City, Taipei County who was reported to the health authority by the hospital.During one week’s time, a total of 9 dengue cases have been confirmed in Taipei County.Hence, CECC cautions that the dengue epidemic is not limited to southern Taiwan and urges the public to clean up vector breeding sites around their residences in order to prevent further transmission of dengue fever.

According to CECC, one of the cases is 35 years old who resides in Sanchong City.On October 17, the case developed symptoms such as fever and muscle pain.On October 18, the case sought medical attention at a clinic.On October 21, the case sought medical assistance at a hospital due to persistent fever.On October 25, the case returned to the hospital for further medical assistance.On the following day, the case was reported to the health authority by the hospital as a suspected case of dengue fever.Taiwan CDC confirmed dengue infection in the case.According to the initial epidemiological investigation, the case does not have a recent travel history to southern Taiwan or foreign countries.Hence, the case is determined to be an indigenous case.Further, none of the other 3 family members in the household have developed suspected symptoms.The collection of specimens from the family members arranged by the local health bureau is underway.

On the other hand, the number of indigenous dengue cases reported in Wugu Township, Taipei County appears to be increasing.During this wave of epidemic, 8 indigenous cases have been confirmed.From August till now, a total of 834 indigenous cases have been confirmed in the nation, including 481 cases in Kaohsiung City, 232 cases in Tainan City, 81 cases in Tainan County, 24 cases in Kaohsiung County, 2 cases in Pingtung County, 2 cases in Taipei City, 11 cases in Taipei County, and 1 case in Gueishan Township, Taoyuan County.This year, a cumulative total of 11 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported, including 2 deaths.

CECC urges the public to cooperate with the government policy, stay vigilant against the disease and take necessary measures such as draining water containers and cleaning up vector breeding sites around their residences as well as preventing mosquito bites to effectively prevent the spread of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever and protect their health and the health of their family.Moreover, people who suspect dengue infection in patients with fever, rashes and bone ache when visiting patients in hospitals and healthcare facilities in Wugu Township and Sanchong City should report those cases to the health authority immediately.

For any questions or further information on dengue fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the CECC’s website: http://Dengue.nat.gov.tw.