During August 28 and September 3, 2012, a total of 40 indigenous dengue cases, including one dengue hemorrhagic fever case, and 9 imported dengue cases were reported. Of the cases, 30 cases reside in Tainan City and 10 cases reside in Kaohsiung City. On the other hand, a cumulative total of 4 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases have been reported thus far this year, reaching a record high in 10 years. Hence, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) once again urges the public to clean up and remove water storage containers around their home both indoor and outdoor, take prevention measures against mosquito bites, and seek immediate medical attention when suspected symptoms develop to prevent dengue transmission.

The new 40 cases have mostly been reported in West Central District, Annan District, Northern District, and Southern District in Tainan City, and Lingya District in Kaohsiung City. The number of new cases reported during August 28 and September 3, 2012 almost doubles that reported during the previous week, showing further spread of dengue virus. As a result, the public is advised to remain vigilant against dengue virus and clean up and remove vector-breeding sites to prevent transmission.

The new dengue hemorrhagic case reported last week is a 68-year-old female who resides in Lingya District, Kaohsiung City and has a history of chronic diseases, including cancer, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. On August 27, when she began to develop symptoms such as fever, muscle ache, bone ache, joint pain, vomiting and coughing, she sought medical attention at a clinic and specimens were collected from her as part of the community-based dengue prevention program. On August 29, dengue infection was confirmed in the patient. On August 30, when her symptoms persisted, she sought further medical attention at the emergency department at a hospital and was hospitalized. During her hospital stay, she experienced decreased platelet counts, hemorrhage and ascites. On August 31, she was reported to the health authority as a suspected dengue hemorrhagic fever case by her physician. On September 4, dengue hemorrhagic fever was confirmed in the patient by Taiwan CDC. As of now, the case is currently hospitalized and stable.

The number of indigenous dengue cases has increased significantly in Tainan City and dengue hemorrhagic fever cases continue to occur in Kaohsiung City. 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. On the other hand, Taiwan CDC also urges physicians to remain vigilant against dengue fever and report a patient to the health authority if he/she develops suspected symptoms to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures that prevent further spread of the disease. Taiwan CDC also stresses that draining water containers and cleaning up vector breeding sites around the residence as well as preventing mosquito bites to effectively prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever that occurs when a person catches a different type dengue virus after being infected by another one sometime before. 

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.