According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 283 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on October 24, 2015, including 184 cases in Kaohsiung City and 91 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 39 cases more than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 18 cases less than that reported during the same day last week.

Although dengue activity in Tainan City has gradually declined, it has remained at its peak in Kaohsiung City. To maintain effective dengue control in Tainan City, the local government is implementing the fifth phase of dengue prevention and control efforts. Simultaneously, the Kaohsiung City government is implementing real-time chemical control and inspection activities on the management and patrolling of vector breeding sources in order to further strengthen existing prevention and control efforts and speed up the process of bringing the outbreak under control. Since this summer, a cumulative total of 27,204 indigenous dengue cases, including 21,135 cases in Tainan City, 5,591 cases in Kaohsiung City, 124 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. On October 24, 2 new deaths that might be associated with dengue infection were reported. Thus far, a cumulative total of 122 deaths, including 102 deaths in Tainan City, 18 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection. 23 deaths, including 15 from Tainan City and 8 from Kaohsiung City, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 35 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 92.2 % of the total reported cases, which is approximately 25,081 patients, have recovered.

As fall approaches and the weather gets colder, CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public that as dengue symptoms are similar to those of influenza-like illness, people who are eligible for the government-funded influenza vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible. After returning home from the affected area, if symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of any relevant medical history, recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. 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).