On November 16, 2012, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first death associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever in Tainan City. As of November 15, a cumulative total of 1,015 dengue cases have been confirmed, including 20 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases and 5 deaths. All 5 deaths had a medical history of chronic illness or cancer. Hence, Taiwan CDC once again urges the public to remain vigilant against dengue virus andclean up and remove vector-breeding sites to prevent dengue transmission and dengue infection from worsening existing chronic illnesses. 

The death associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever was a 74-year-old male who resides in North District, Tainan City. He had a medical history of high blood pressure, high blood fat level, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was initially hospitalized at the intensive care unit at a medical center due to pneumonia. On October 15, 2012, he was discharged. However, when he subsequently developed symptoms such as bloody stool and fever, he sought further medical attention. On November 1, he was hospitalized again because the symptoms persisted and his vital signs were unstable. On November 3, he developed respiratory failure, renal failure and stomach bleeding, and was reported to the health authority by the hospital as a suspected dengue fever case, which was later confirmed. Nevertheless, the case unfortunately passed away on November 11. After an investigation, Taiwan CDC determined the cause of death is associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever.     

According to statistics, all five deaths associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever confirmed this year had a medical history of chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, low blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. As dengue activity continues to persist in southern Taiwan, Taiwan CDC would like to remind people who have been previously infected with dengue virus or have chronic diseases to take prevention measures against mosquito bites to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever. 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.