According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 280 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on October 11, 2015, including 142 cases in Kaohsiung City and 127 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 16 cases more than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 90 cases less than that reported during the same day last week.

CECC for Dengue Outbreak pointed out that dengue activity has gradually slowed down in Tainan, while the peak of dengue season in Kaohsiung City has approached. To strengthen existing prevention and control efforts, CECC for Dengue Outbreak had planned to implement reinforced removal of vector breeding sites in Kaohsiung City beginning October 21. Since this summer, a cumulative total of 25,659 indigenous dengue cases, including 20,527 cases in Tainan City, 4,686 cases in Kaohsiung City, 108 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities in counties, have been confirmed. On October 20, 5 new deaths that might be associated with dengue infection were reported. Thus far, a cumulative total of 106 deaths were found to be linked with dengue infection. 42 deaths, including 33 from Tainan City and 9 from Kaohsiung City, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 42 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 92.0 % of the total reported cases, which is approximately 23,612 patients, have recovered.

On the other hand, so far this year, a cumulative total of 261 imported dengue cases have been reported, which is the highest since 2010. During 2010 and 2014, the numbers of imported dengue cases reported respectively are 259, 122, 187, 221 and 193. In addition, a cumulative total of over 91,000 dengue cases have been confirmed in Thailand, which is 3 times more than the average during the same period last year, a cumulative total of over 98,000 dengue cases have been reported in Malaysia, and a cumulative total of over 7,800 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore, which is approximately 2 times more than the average reported during the same period in recent 5 years.

Although Typhoon Koppu has weakened in the Philippines, according to the Central Weather Bureau’s (CWB’s) forecast, Typhoon Koppu is likely to travel northward and past eastern Taiwan, bringing heavy rainfall. Therefore, CECC for Dengue outbreak urges the public to continue to empty and clean vector container habitats to prevent vector from breeding and spread of the virus.

In addition, travelers visiting areas affected by dengue are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites such as wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants, and applying officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed parts of the body. After returning home from the affected area, if symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of any relevant medical history, recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. When dengue fever is diagnosed, please follow the doctor’s instructions in completing the treatment, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and rest at home as much as possible to prevent the further spread of the virus through mosquitoes. 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).