According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 281 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on November 7, 2015, including 240 cases in Kaohsiung City and 68 cases in Tainan City. The number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 26 cases more than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 25 cases less than that reported during the same day last week.

Currently, the dengue outbreak in Tainan City has been brought under control, while dengue activity remains at its peak in Kaohsiung City. To prevent the ongoing dengue outbreak from escalating, the Kaohsiung City Government is implementing the fourth phase of vector site cleaning program in order to further strengthen existing prevention and control efforts and speed up the process of bringing the outbreak under control. Under the leadership of Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu, the community was mobilized to implement comprehensive prevention efforts targeting drains on November 7 and every Wednesday has been designated as the “Dengue Prevention and Control Day” in Kaohsiung City to promote voluntary cleaning of water containers such as drains in intra- and peri-domestic areas among the general public. On the other hand, the Tainan City Government has completed vector control and inspection activities in 111 villages that are at increased risk for dengue transmission.

Since this summer, a cumulative total of 31,516 indigenous dengue cases, including 22,139 cases in Tainan City, 8,814 cases in Kaohsiung City, 169 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. Thus far, a cumulative total of 141 deaths, including 110 deaths in Tainan City, 29 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 2 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection. 28 deaths, including 20 from Kaohsiung City, 7 from Tainan City, and 1 from Pingtung County, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 25 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 92.8 % of the total reported cases, which is 29,244 patients, have recovered.

CECC for Dengue Outbreak stresses that the Kaohsiung City Government is at the moment implementing the fourth phase of dengue prevention and control efforts and reminds the public to continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites to maintain effective dengue control. In addition, CECC for Dengue Outbreak also reminds the public that as dengue symptoms are similar to those of influenza-like illness, people who are eligible for the government-funded influenza vaccine, especially elderly and people with history of chronic medical conditions, to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to prevent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. 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).