According to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), the local dengue outbreak remained at the peak last week. In addition, in Pingtung County, the number of indigenous dengue cases continued to increase and the ongoing outbreak showed signs of spreading. As the recent heavy rainfall has resulted in an increase in the number of water-holding containers and an increase in the mosquito density in the community, vector mosquitoes are likely to become even more active. Hence, Taiwan CDC urges the public to clean up vector-breeding sites in and around their residences. Physicians are also advised to be vigilant for and notify any suspected cases to the health authority immediately to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures that prevent further spread of the disease.

During October 1 and 7, 2013, 16 new indigenous cases of dengue fever and 1 imported case of dengue fever were confirmed. All new indigenous cases reside in Pingtung County. As of October 7, 2013, a cumulative total of 151 indigenous dengue cases have been confirmed this dengue season. Among the indigenous dengue cases, 139 cases have been confirmed in Pingtung County (59 cases in Pingtung City, 36 cases in Chunri Township, 28 cases in Chaozhou Township, 11 cases in Xinyuan Township, 3 cases in Xinpi Township, 1 case in Wanluan Township, and 1 case in Linluo Township), 7 cases have been confirmed in Taipei City, 4 cases have been confirmed in Kaohsiung City, and 1 case has been confirmed in New Taipei City.

This year, three types of dengue virus have occurred in Pingtung County. Taiwan CDC urges people who have been previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus and those with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease to pay additional attention to dengue prevention and take personal precautions against mosquito bites to prevent dengue fever and consequently dengue hemorrhagic fever. Taiwan CDC stresses that everyone needs to participate in dengue control efforts in order to successfully contain the epidemic and 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. According to Article 70 of the Communicable Disease Control Act, anyone who refuses, evades or obstructs disease control measures such as inspection decided by competent authorities or fails to notify the competent authorities of the presence of vector breeding sites that is later identified by competent authorities or clean up vector breeding sites as requested by competent authorities may be fined NT$ 3,000 up to NT$ 15,000. For more information on dengue fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.