Dengue activity begins to slow; Public still urged to clean up and remove vector-breeding sites and take prevention measures as 4 new dengue hemorrhagic fever cases confirmed
On December 4, 2012, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced four new cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, including three cases reported in Kaohsiung City and one case reported in Tainan City, were confirmed last week (November 27 and December 3). Of the new cases, one died. Thus far, a cumulative total of 27 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases, including 7 deaths, have been confirmed this year. In addition, 44 new indigenous dengue fever cases were confirmed last week. Of the new dengue fever cases, 24 cases reside in Kaohsiung City and 20 cases reside in Tainan City. Since the beginning of this summer, a cumulative total of 1,147 dengue cases have been confirmed, including 698 cases that reside in Tainan City, 433 cases that reside in Kaohsiung City, 7 cases that reside in Taoyuan County, 3 cases that reside in New Taipei City, and one case that resides in Taipei City, Miaoli County, Chiayi County, Taitung County and Penghu County.
The death associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever was a 61-year-old female who resided in Annan District, Tainan City. She had a medical history of high blood pressure. On November 20, she sought medical attention when she developed symptoms such as nausea, palpitation, dizziness, diarrhea and shortness of breath. On November 23, when she developed other symptoms such as weakness in limbs and fainting, she was rushed to a medical center for further medical treatment and hospitalization. During her stay at the medical center, she developed fever, a drop in the platelet count, plasma leakage, shock and multiple organ failure. Unfortunately, the case passed away on November 30 and her death was determined to be associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Currently, two other hemorrhagic fever cases are still hospitalized, while the other case has recovered and been discharged.
Of the new dengue cases confirmed last week, 24 cases reside in Kaohsiung City and 20 cases reside in Tainan City. The dengue activity in Tainan City has begun to slow. On the other hand, the number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City has decreased. However, the distribution of cases has continued to spread wider, showing further spread of dengue virus. Hence, Taiwan CDC once again urges the public to remain vigilant against dengue virus and clean up and remove vector-breeding sites to prevent further transmission.
Although the overall dengue activity has begun to slow, cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have continued to occur. Taiwan CDC advises people who have chronic diseases and reside in areas affected by dengue outbreaks to take prevention measures against mosquito bites to prevent dengue transmission and dengue infection from worsening existing chronic illnesses. To effectively prevent dengue transmission in the community, Taiwan CDC urges the public to voluntarily remove standing water, clean up vector breeding sites and reduce the number of water-storage containers in and around residences at least once a week to prevent the spread of dengue fever. Taiwan CDC emphasizes if symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, retroorbital pain, myalgia, and arthragia develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of any recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. For any questions or further information on dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.
