During December 3 and 9, 2013, 69 new indigenous cases of dengue fever, 5 imported cases of dengue fever, and 2 new cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever were confirmed in Taiwan. Most of the new cases confirmed last week occurred in Pingtung County (49), followed by Kaohsiung City (12), and Tainan City (8). As the risk of dengue transmission remains and local outbreaks in Pingtung County, Kaohsiung City and Tainan City have persisted and continued to spread, the public, especially residents in southern Taiwan, is reminded to continue to thoroughly clean and remove any indoor and outdoor water containers and vector breeding sources and be sure to continue to maintain the cleanliness of the environment to prevent further spread of the virus. Taiwan CDC also urges people who have been previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus and those with cancer or chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease to take personal precautions against mosquito bites. Physicians are also advised to be vigilant for and notify any suspected cases to the health authority immediately to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures that prevent further transmission of the disease.

The two new dengue hemorrhagic fever cases confirmed last week respectively are a 41-year-old male who resides in Pingtung City, Pingtung County and a 55-year-old male who resides in Fongshan District, Kaohsiung City. They respectively sought medical attention four times and three times before being reported to the health authority and hospitalized for treatment. As of now, they have both been discharged. Of the 69 new indigenous cases, 49 cases reside in Pingtung County: 31 reside in Pingtung City, 15 reside in Wandan Township,1 resides in Donggang Township, 1 resides in Ligang Township, and 1 resides in Nanchou Township, 12 reside in Kaohsiung City, and 8 reside in Tainan City.

As of December 9, 2013, a cumulative total of 465 indigenous dengue cases have been confirmed this dengue season. Among the indigenous cases, 367 cases have been confirmed in Pingtung County, 54 cases have been confirmed in Kaohsiung City, 32 cases have been confirmed in Tainan City, 9 cases have been confirmed in Taipei City, and 1 case has been respectively confirmed in New Taipei City, Taichung City and Chiayi County. On the other hand, during the same period, a total of 10 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases have been confirmed, including 7 cases that reside in Pingtung County, 2 cases that reside in Tainan City, and 1 case that resides in Kaohsiung City.

According to statistics compiled by Taiwan CDC, the mortality rate associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever in Taiwan during the past five years is approximately 20%. In recent years, 4 types of dengue virus have appeared in southern Taiwan. In addition, three types of dengue virus have occurred in Pingtung County this year. 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 are strongly advised to pay additional attention to dengue prevention and take personal precautions against mosquito bites to prevent dengue fever and consequently dengue hemorrhagic fever. Additionally, if symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthragia, 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. 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 Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone.