During January 28 and February 10, 2014, 5 new indigenous cases of dengue fever and 9 imported cases of dengue fever were confirmed in Taiwan. Two the new indigenous cases confirmed last week occurred in Pingtung County and three cases in a family cluster occurred in Tainan City. Although the overall temperature in Taiwan has dropped, sporadic dengue cases still occur in southern Taiwan, indicating the risk of dengue transmission remains, Taiwan CDC continues to urge the public to reinforce the removal of vector-breeding sites and ensure the cleanliness of the environment as well as take precautions against mosquito bites in order to minimize the risk of dengue infection.

According to the epidemiological investigation, one of the two cases in Pingtung County resides in Bexing Village and the other case resides in Guangrong Village. Prior to disease onset, the case from Beixing Village had visited Guangrong village. The local health authority has implemented a number of prevention measures to prevent further spread of the disease. On the other hand, the three cases residing in Dafong Village, North District, Tainan City are family members who live in the same household and none of them had recently visited other city/county or traveled overseas. The local health authority has also implemented prevention measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

Since last year, as of February 10, 2014, a cumulative total of 609 indigenous dengue cases have been confirmed in Taiwan. Among the indigenous cases, 484 cases have been confirmed in Pingtung County, 71 cases have been confirmed in Kaohsiung City, 41 cases have been confirmed in Tainan City, 9 cases have been confirmed in Taipei City, and 1 case has been respectively confirmed in New Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Taichung City and Chiayi County. Thus far in 2014, a total of 15 imported dengue cases have been confirmed in Taiwan, including 7 from Indonesia, 3 from the Philippines, 2 respectively from Singapore and Malaysia, and 1 from Cambodia.

Taiwan CDC stresses that although the overall temperature has recently lowered, the temperature can bounce back and occasional rain may occur. Both warmer temperature and increased rainfall favor the growth of vector mosquitoes. As a result, removing vector-breeding sites remains the most effective way to prevent dengue fever. Therefore, the public is urged to thoroughly clean and remove any indoor and outdoor water containers and vector breeding sources around their residences, and recycle all unwanted containers to prevent further transmission of the virus. Travelers planning to visit high risk areas are advised to take personal precautions against mosquito bites throughout the trip in order to prevent dengue infection and further spread of the disease. Physicians are reminded to be vigilant for suspected cases, inquire about such patients’ travel history, and notify any suspected cases to the health authority immediately to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures that prevent further transmission of the disease.

For more information on dengue fever, 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 if calling from a cell phone.