According to statistics compiled by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) during the past four weeks, dengue remains rampant in 5 neighboring cities and counties in southern Taiwan. This week, a total of 111 indigenous dengue fever cases have been reported in the nation, reaching a record high.Currently, four strains of dengue virus are simultaneously circulating and people who have been previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus are at greater risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.On the other hand, Taiwan CDC noted an increase in the number of cases of enterovirus infection after schools reopened.The consultation rate for eneterovirus infection at emergency rooms is almost the same as that reported during the first peak of the epidemic in the last semester.The consultation rate for acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) at emergency rooms has been higher than that reported during the same period in the past two years.In addition, several cluster outbreaks of AHC have occurred in schools.Overall, outbreaks of dengue fever, eneterovirus infection and ACH remain rampant.Hence, Taiwan CDC has moved the level of epidemic alert from yellow light to orange light.

Since the beginning of August, 2010, a total of 483 indigenous dengue fever cases and 247 imported dengue fever cases have been reported.Further, a total of 183 imported dengue fever cases were detected in August. This year’s numbers of indigenous cases and imported cases are comparatively higher than that during the same period last year.During the same period last year, a total of 107 indigenous dengue fever cases were reported. Last year, a total of 204 imported dengue fever cases were detected.In addition, a total of 40 imported dengue fever cases were detected in August, 2009.Since four strains of dengue virus are simultaneously circulating, Taiwan CDC once again urges the public to stay vigilant against dengue fever 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 dengue hemorrhagic fever and protect their health and the health of their family.Additionally, this week, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) are going to conduct collaborative inspections and investigations, primarily on buildings, agencies and lands managed by central agencies, to identify the presence of vector breeding grounds. Anyone found in violation of Article 25 of the Communicable Disease Control Act for failing to clean up vector breeding sites will be fined NT$ 3,000 up to NT$ 15,000 according to Article 70 of the Communicable Disease Control Act.

According to the data collected by the emergency department surveillance system, the consultation rate for eneterovirus infection at emergency rooms has increased significantly after schools reopened.This year, a total of 16 cases of severe complications associated with eneterovirus infection have been confirmed, which is lower than that (29) reported last year.However, the number of cases of enterovirus infection reported this year is higher than that last year.Infants and children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk for complications.Hence, the public is urged to practice good personal hygiene for themselves, their infants and young children and wash hands frequently and correctly to decrease the chance of infection.Taiwan CDC will continue closely monitor the development of the outbreak.

According to the data compiled by the school-based surveillance system, the national average AHC incidence rates for the past two weeks respectively are 2.06‰ and 2.11‰, which are comparatively higher than that during the same period in 2008 (0.08‰ and 0.03‰) and 2009 (0.01‰ and 0.03‰). Since schools reopened, Taiwan CDC has confirmed a total of 31 cluster outbreaks of AHC that took place in schools. Laboratory tests confirmed that 21 cluster outbreaks were caused by enterovirus, primarily Coxsackie virus A24. Taiwan CDC advises people with AHC to avoid visiting public areas such as communal swimming pools. The public is urged to take measures against infection: clean hands thoroughly by following a five-step washing procedure: wet, scrub, rinse, hold and wipe, avoid rubbing eyes with hands and use clean towels, cotton swabs or tissues for wiping eyes.

For any questions or further information on epidemics and disease control measures, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.