During October 28 and November 3, 2014, 5 new indigenous cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, including one death, were confirmed in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. The casualty was a 74-year-old female who resided in Gushan District. She had a medical history of high blood pressure, diabetes and irregular pulse. On October 24, she developed fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and dry mouth and tongue. On October 26, she sought medical attention at the emergency department of a hospital and she was reported to the health authority as a case of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. On the following day, when her conditions worsened, she was transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment. In the afternoon of the same day, she died of septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction. None of her contacts residing in the same household has developed suspected symptoms. The other 4 indigenous cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever respectively are a 69-year-old male and a 65-year-old female who reside in Sanmin District, a 71-year-old female who resides in Hsingsin District, and an 80-year-old female who resides in Daliao District. They developed symptoms during October 21 and 25. Some of them have a medical history of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. As of now, one of the cases has been discharged while 3 other cases are still hospitalized for treatment. Thus far this year, a cumulative total of 64 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been confirmed this year. Of the cases, 52 have been discharged from the hospital, 8 died, and 4 are still hospitalized.

Last week, a total of 1,420 indigenous cases of dengue fever and 6 imported cases of dengue fever were confirmed. Among the indigenous cases, 1,379 cases were confirmed in Kaohsiung City, 20 cases were confirmed in Pingtung County, 8 cases were confirmed in Tainan City, 3 cases were confirmed in Taipei City, 3 cases were confirmed in Penghu County, 2 cases were respectively confirmed in Taichung City and Yunlin County, 1 case was respectively confirmed in Miaoli County, New Taipei City, and Chiayi County. The number of new cases reported has declined slightly.

As of November 3, 2014, a cumulative total of 9,062 cases of dengue fever, including 8,859 indigenous cases and 203 imported cases, have been confirmed this year. Of the cases, 8,845 cases were indigenous cases confirmed since this summer and 203 cases were imported from Malaysia (57), Indonesia (55), the Philippines (30), China (18), Singapore (9), Myanmar (7), Thailand (7), Vietnam (7), India (3), Nauru (2), Cambodia (2), Bangladesh (2), Japan (1), French Polynesia (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and Tuvalu (1).

Taiwan CDC stresses that four types of dengue virus have occurred in southern Taiwan. 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. Once again, Taiwan CDC reminds the public to reinforce the removal of vector-breeding sites and ensure the cleanliness of the environment as well as take precautions against mosquito bites in order to minimize the risk of dengue infection. 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 Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922.