On August 17, 2010, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced the first confirmed case of indigenous dengue fever in Tainan County.The patient is a 41-year-old female who resides in Guanmiao Township.Another case of indigenous dengue fever has been confirmed in a 45-year-old male who also resides in Guanmiao Township. Since the beginning of the dengue epidemic season in March, 2010, a total of 14 indigenous dengue cases have been reported.Taiwan CDC urges the public to clean up vector-breeding sites found in and around the homes in order to prevent dengue transmission as the peak season for dengue has approached.

Taiwan CDC pointed out that the 41-year-old case developed symptoms such as fever, waist pain, headache and fatigue on August 8, 2010.On August 9, she sought medical attention at a clinic and was diagnosed with cold.During August 10 and 12, her symptoms persisted and she developed nausea, diarrhea, and bloody urine and stool.She then sought medical attention again.Her clinician failed to diagnose her dengue fever promptly again.On August 13, when she developed rash and her fever persisted, she visited the emergency department at a medical center.She was reported to the local health bureau as a dengue case by the hospital.Taiwan CDC confirmed DEN-1 in the case.Upon receiving the report of the case, the Tainan County Health Bureau immediately conducted an epidemiologic investigation.None of the other 6 family members in her household has developed suspected symptoms.However, a coworker of the 41-year-old case, a 45-year-old male, developed suspected symptoms such as fever, pain throughout the body and fatigue on August 8.After testing his blood sample, dengue fever was confirmed in the 45-year-old case.None of the other 4 coworkers of the two cases has developed suspected symptoms.Nevertheless, the cases’ clinicians had failed to detect dengue fever in time when they sought medical attention.Taiwan CDC urges clinicians to remain vigilant for suspected cases of dengue fever.

Taiwan CDC warns that dengue fever has also occurred earlier this year than that in the previous year. In addition, a total of 14 indigenous dengue cases were reported between March and August, 16, 2010. Furthermore, due to the frequent occurrence of rainfall in the afternoon during the past two weeks, the vector indices in the southern cities and counties of Taiwan have reached an alarming value.Taiwan CDC urges the public to stay alert 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 protect their health.

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 Taiwan CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw.