According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 395 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on November 10, 2015, including 342 cases in Kaohsiung City and 48 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 41 cases more than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 20 cases less than that reported during the same day last week. In addition, 9 new deaths that might be associated with dengue infection were confirmed this week.

Since this summer, a cumulative total of 32,390 indigenous dengue cases, including 22,243 cases in Tainan City, 9,561 cases in Kaohsiung City, 185 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. Currently, dengue activity remains at its peak in Kaohsiung City. The Kaohsiung City Government continues to strengthen its prevention and control efforts. As every Wednesday has been designated as the “Dengue Prevention and Control Day” in Kaohsiung City, the authority has planned to mobilize chiefs of 35 villages and neighborhoods and volunteers to clean and empty vector breeding sites in the city. Although dengue outbreak has been brought under control in Tainan City, the Tainan City Government will continue to implement its dengue prevention and control efforts to ensure effective dengue control.

9 new deaths associated with dengue infection, including 5 women and 4 men, were confirmed this week. 8 resided in Kaohsiung City and 1 resided in Tainan City. Their ages ranged between 54 and 81. Most of them had multiple chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, renal failure and strokes, which coincided with the conditions of high-risk patients listed in the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Thus far, a cumulative total of 150 deaths, including 111 deaths in Tainan City, 37 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection. The median age is 76 years old. 23 deaths, including 17 from Kaohsiung City, 5 from Tainan City, and 1 from Pingtung County, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 30 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 93.4 % of the total reported cases, which is 30,268 patients, have recovered.

CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public to continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites in and around the residence to maintain effective dengue control. Physicians are urged to heighten vigilant for high-risk patients, including elderly patient and individuals with chronic medical conditions, as they are more prone to more severe disease and complications and watch for the development of warning signs such as abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, lethargy or restlessness, liver enlargement (≥2cm) and increases in hematocrit concurrent with rapid decrease in platelet count in such patients in order to ensure timely treatment and reduce the risk of complication and death. 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).