During October 16 and 22, 2012, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) confirmed two dengue hemorrhagic fever cases that reside in Kaohsiung City. In addition, a total of 62 new indigenous dengue cases were reported. Of the new cases, 42 cases reside in Tainan City and 20 cases reside in Kaohsiung City. Further 7 new imported cases of dengue fever were confirmed. Since the beginning of this summer, a cumulative total of 732 dengue cases have been confirmed, including 522 cases that reside in Tainan City, 196 cases that reside in Kaohsiung City, 7 cases that reside in Taoyuan County, 2 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 14th dengue hemorrhagic fever case is a 54-year-old male who has previously been infected with dengue fever. On October 11, he developed symptoms, including fever, muscle ache, bone and joint pain, and back pain. According to the expanded epidemiological investigation conducted on October 12, dengue infection was confirmed in the case. On October 14, he was hospitalized at a medical center for treatment. On October 16, the case was reported to the health authority as a dengue hemorrhagic fever case. The 15th dengue hemorrhagic fever case is a 44-year-old male who has previously been infected with dengue fever. On October 13, he developed symptoms such as fever, joint pain, headache and gum bleeding. On October 18, he was hospitalized at a medical center and was reported to the health authority as a dengue fever case. On October 21, he was reported to the health authority as a dengue hemorrhagic fever cases. As of now, both cases have recovered and been discharged. Taiwan CDC reminds people residing in areas affected by dengue for years and those with chronic illnesses that are at increased risk of developing dengue hemorrhagic fever to clean up and remove vector-breeding sites and take prevention measures to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Of the 62 new indigenous dengue fever cases confirmed last week, 42 cases have mostly been reported in Tainan City and 20 cases have mostly been reported in Kaohsiung City. The distribution of cases has continued to spread wider, 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 diseases to 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. 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. On the other hand, if anyone suspects himself/herself to have dengue fever, he/she can visit the public health center for blood testing. If dengue infection is then confirmed in the suspected case by Taiwan CDC, he/she will be awarded NT2,500. 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