According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 377 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on November 3, 2015, including 301 cases in Kaohsiung City and 68 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 53 cases more than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 42 cases less than that reported during the same day last week. In addition, 12 new deaths associated with dengue infection were reported this week.

Since this summer, a cumulative total of 30,298 indigenous dengue cases, including 21,942 cases in Tainan City, 7,822 cases in Kaohsiung City, 153 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. Currently, the dengue outbreak in Tainan City has been brought under control, while dengue activity remains at its peak in Kaohsiung City. Hence, the Kaohsiung City Government continues to strengthen its prevention and control efforts at high-risk areas, including construction sites, vegetable gardens and basements. To maintain effective dengue control in Tainan City, the local government continues to implement larval control interventions.

12 new deaths associated with dengue infection, including 11 men and 1 woman, were confirmed this week. 8 resided in Kaohsiung City and 4 resided in Tainan City. Their ages ranged between 55 and 84. A few had drinking problems and peptic ulcer. Most of them had multiple chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, renal failure and strokes, which coincided with the conditions of high-risk patients listed in the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Thus far, a cumulative total of 141 deaths, including 110 deaths in Tainan City, 29 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection. 15 deaths, including 9 from Kaohsiung City, 5 from Tainan City, and 1 from Pingtung County, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 24 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 92.6 % of the total reported cases, which is 28,046 patients, have recovered.

CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public to continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites to prevent the ongoing outbreak from escalating again. Physicians are urged to heighten vigilant for high-risk patients, including elderly patient and individuals with chronic medical conditions, as they are more prone to more severe disease and complications and watch for the development of warning signs such as abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, lethargy or restlessness, liver enlargement (≥2cm) and increases in hematocrit concurrent with rapid decrease in platelet count in such patients in order to ensure timely treatment and reduce the risk of complication and death. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).