According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 488 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on November 17, 2015, including 455 cases in Kaohsiung City and 24 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 113 cases more than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 24 cases less than that reported during the same day last week. In addition, 8 new deaths that might be associated with dengue infection were confirmed this week.

Since this summer, a cumulative total of 34,887 indigenous dengue cases, including 22,444 cases in Tainan City, 11,796 cases in Kaohsiung City, 220 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. As dengue activity remains at its peak in Kaohsiung City, the Kaohsiung City Government continues to strengthen its prevention and control efforts, mobilize relevant personnel to implement compulsory cleaning and emptying of vector breeding sites in the five hot spots of the ongoing outbreak, and formulate the dengue outbreak response and endgame plan. CECC for Dengue Outbreak will continue to provide all necessary assistance to the Kaohsiung City Government in order to help bring the outbreak under control. Although dengue outbreak has been brought under control in Tainan City, the Tainan City Government will continue to implement its dengue prevention and control efforts to ensure effective dengue control and bring an end to the outbreak as soon as possible.

8 new deaths associated with dengue infection, including 5 women and 3 men, were confirmed this week. 7 resided in Kaohsiung City and 1 resided in Tainan City. Their ages ranged between 62 and 96. Most of them had multiple chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, renal failure and strokes, which coincided with the conditions of high-risk patients listed in the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Thus far, a cumulative total of 158 deaths, including 112 deaths in Tainan City, 44 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection. The median age is 76 years old. 23 deaths, including 21 from Kaohsiung City and 2 from Tainan City, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 51 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 92.9 % of the total reported cases, which is 32,421 patients, have recovered.

To assist the Kaohsiung City Government in responding to the ongoing dengue outbreak, the central government appropriated $72,688,000 from the Executive Yuan’s secondary reserve fund on October 22, 2015 for the Kaohsiung City Government to conduct various emergency response efforts. In addition, as of November 12, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has helped procure 136 thermal fogging machines for the implementation of chemical vector control by the Kaohsiung City Government in areas where dengue cases are concentrated. Since August, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has been dispatching personnel to assist the local government in implementing emergency chemical vector control interventions. As of November 16, MND has sent over 20,000 people to aid in the chemical vector control intervention. During November 8 and 14, on average, 156 people from MND participated in the chemical vector control intervention every day. It is hoped that with appropriate funding, manpower and resources in place the outbreak can be brought under control as early as possible.

CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public to continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites in and around the residence to prevent ongoing dengue outbreak from escalating again. Physicians are urged to heighten vigilant for high-risk patients, including elderly patient and individuals with chronic medical conditions, as they are more prone to more severe disease and complications and watch for the development of warning signs such as abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, lethargy or restlessness, liver enlargement (≥2cm) and increases in hematocrit concurrent with rapid decrease in platelet count in such patients in order to ensure timely treatment and reduce the risk of complication and death. 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).