On September 21, 2015, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak pointed out that the first reverse in the ongoing dengue outbreaks was observed after the dengue incidence trend had been increasing for 14 consecutive weeks. Concerted efforts from the central and local governments and the public remain vital to maintaining the current result. The public is urged to remain vigilant for dengue fever, reinforce emptying and cleaning of vector breeding sites by scrubbing and take precautions against mosquito bites.

Taiwan CDC announced a total of additional 443 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed yesterday (September 20), including 347 cases in Tainan City, 89 cases in Kaohsiung City, 4 cases in New Taipei City, 2 cases in Pingtung County, 1 case each in Taichung City and Chiayi County, and 1 case in Kinmen County that moved the residence to another city/county. Among the newly confirmed cases, besides the cases confirmed in southern Taiwan, the cases confirmed in New Taipei City had visited either Tainan City or Kaohsiung City, the case confirmed in Taichung City had visited Tainan City, while the case confirmed in Chiayi County is still being investigated. Currently, 46 cases are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, including 39 cases in Tainan City, 6 cases in Kaohsiung City, and 1 case in Changhua County. 3 new deaths that might be associated with dengue infection were reported. Thus far, a cumulative total of 25 deaths were found to be linked with dengue infection. 38 deaths, including 34 from Tainan City, and 2 each from Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County, are still waiting to be reviewed. Since this summer, a cumulative total of 13,209 indigenous dengue cases have been confirmed. Of the cases, 9,993, including 8,732 cases in Tainan City and 1,092 cases in Kaohsiung City, have recovered from the disease. 98.7% of the total cases were confirmed in southern Taiwan.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to seek immediate medical attention when suspected of dengue infection and 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 mosquito bites and the spread of the virus through vector mosquitoes, the public is advised to take precautions such as wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants, and applying officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed parts of the body. Patients are also urged to pay attention to the signs of developing severe dengue such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, rapid breathing, bleeding, cold sweaty skin or cold hands and feet, and change of consciousness, which will require immediate hospital admission, in order to prevent the development of severe infection and death. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).