During November 13 and 19, 2012, 77 new indigenous dengue cases, including two dengue hemorrhagic fever cases that reside in Kaohsiung City, were reported. Of the new cases, 52 cases reside in Kaohsiung City and 25 cases reside in Tainan City. Since the beginning of this summer, a cumulative total of 1,049 dengue cases have been confirmed, including 663 cases that reside in Tainan City, 371 cases that reside in Kaohsiung City, 7 cases that reside in Taoyuan County, 3 cases that reside in New Taipei City, and one case that resides in Taipei City, Miaoli County, Chiayi County, Taitung County and Penghu County.

Of the two new dengue hemorrhagic fever cases confirmed last week, the first case is a 62-year-old male who resides in Lingya District, Kaohsiung City. On November 6, he developed symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite and muscle ache. As of now, the case has recovered and been discharged from the hospital. The second case is a 73-year-old female who resides in Cianjhen District, Kaohsiung City and has a medical history of high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease. On November 12, she developed symptoms such as fever, rashes, bone ache, muscle ache and joint pains. As of now, the case is still hospitalized. This year, a cumulative total of 22 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported. Therefore, Taiwan CDC would like to remind people who have chronic diseases and reside in areas affected by dengue outbreaks to take prevention measures against mosquito bites to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever because they are at increased risk for dengue hemorrhagic fever.

15 of the 52 new dengue cases in Kaohsiung City have been reported in Cianjhen District, and 10 of the 25 new cases in Tainan City have been reported in North District. The number of new cases reported in Tainan City has slightly decreased. On the other hand, the number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City has continued to increase. Further, the distribution of cases has continued to spread wider in both Tainan City and Kaohsiung City, showing further spread of dengue virus. Hence, Taiwan CDC once again urges the public to remain vigilant against dengue virus and clean up and remove vector-breeding sites to prevent further transmission.

Taiwan CDC would like to remind people who have been previously infected with dengue virus or have chronic diseasesto 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.