During November 11 and 17, 2014, a total of 20 new dengue hemorrhagic fever cases, including 2 deaths, were confirmed, including 19 in Kaohsiung City and 1 in Tainan City. One casualty was a 78-year-old female who resided in Zuoying District, Kaohisung City and had a medical history of high blood pressure, gall stone, obstructive pulmonary disease, thymoma and liver abscess. On November 8, she developed fever, malaise, frequent urination and difficulty with urination. On November 9, she was reported to the health authority as a dengue fever case. When her conditions worsened, she was transferred to the intensive care unit and she was reported to the health authority as a dengue hemorrhagic fever case. On November 13, she died of septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction. None of the family members residing in the same household with the case has developed suspected symptoms. The other casualty was a 67-year-old female who resided in Lingya District, Kaohsiung City and had a medical history of high blood pressure and diabetes. On November 9, she developed fever and malaise. On November 10, she was reported to the health authority as a dengue fever case. When her conditions worsened, she was transferred to the intensive care unit and she was reported to the health authority as a dengue hemorrhagic fever case. On November 14, she died of multi-organ dysfunction. The first dengue hemorrhagic fever case in Tainan City was confirmed in a 12-year-old male student who has a medical history of leukemia and has had chemotherapy. On November 6, he developed fever, bloody stool and vomiting. On November 12, he was reported to the health authority as a dengue fever case and a dengue hemorrhagic fever case. Currently, he’s still hospitalized for treatment. The other 17 new dengue hemorrhagic fever cases were respectively reported in Sanmin District (8), Qianzhen District (4), Fonghsan District (2), Qianjin District (1), Lingya District (1), and Yancheng District (1). Most of them have a medical history of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal disease and peptic ulcer. Of the cases, 6 have been discharged, while 11 are still hospitalized for treatment. Thus far this year, a cumulative total of 100 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been confirmed this year. Of the cases, 69 have been discharged from the hospital, 15 died, and 16 are still hospitalized.

Last week, a total of 1,350 indigenous cases of dengue fever and 3 imported cases of dengue fever were confirmed. Among the indigenous cases, 1,313 cases were confirmed in Kaohsiung City, 23 cases were confirmed in Tainan City, 11 cases were confirmed in Pingtung County, 1 case was respectively confirmed in Taoyuan County, Taichung City and Penghu County. The number of dengue cases reported has continued to increase.

As of November 17, 2014, a cumulative total of 11,953 cases of dengue fever, including 213 imported cases and 11,740 indigenous cases, have been confirmed this year. Among the 11,726 indigenous cases confirmed since this summer, 11,413 cases were confirmed in Kaohsiung City, 147 cases were confirmed in Pingtung County, 91 cases were confirmed in Tainan City, 13 cases were respectively confirmed in New Taipei City and Penghu County, 10 cases were confirmed in Taipei City, 8 cases were confirmed in Taichung City, 6 cases were confirmed in Yunlin County, 4 cases were respectively confirmed in Hsinchu City, Taoyuan County, and Taitung County, 3 cases were confirmed in Chiayi City, 2 cases were respectively confirmed in Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Chiayi County and Changhua County, and 1 case was respectively confirmed in Yilan County and Nantou County. 213 cases were imported from Malaysia (61), Indonesia (56), the Philippines (31), China (19), Singapore (9), Myanmar (8), Thailand (8), Vietnam (7), India (3), Cambodia (3),Nauru (2), Bangladesh (2), Japan (1), French Polynesia (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and Tuvalu (1).

Since the number of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases has continued to increase, Taiwan CDC once again 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 or cancer to pay additional attention to dengue prevention and take personal precautions against mosquito bites to prevent dengue fever and consequently dengue hemorrhagic fever. Once again, Taiwan CDC reminds 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. 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 Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922.