On September 15, 2010, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced the first indigenous case of dengue hemorrhagic fever in a 9-year-old girl who resides in Guanmiao Township, Tainan County.This is also the second indigenous dengue hemorrhagic fever case confirmed in Taiwan this year.

On September 6, the case developed fever and sought medical attention at a clinic.On the following day, she sought further medical attention as her symptom persisted.On September 8, her fever persisted and she experienced other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.Later at night, she was rushed to the emergency department and hospitalized for treatment.On the next day, she developed bloody stool and vomited blood.On September 10, she went into shock due to a drop in blood pressure.She was then transferred to the intensive care unit and was reported to the health authority as a suspected dengue case.On September 11, her bloody stool got worse and was then reported to the health authority as a dengue hemorrhagic fever case and a dengue shock syndrome case.On September 14, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome were confirmed in the case.According to the epidemiological investigation, the case has not traveled overseas recently and none of the other 5 family members in her household have been infected.The case is determined to be an indigenous case.

Since the beginning of September, 2010, a total of 76 indigenous dengue fever cases have been reported in the nation, including 62 cases in Kaohsiung City, 11 cases in Tainan County, and 3 cases in Tainan City.The prevalent dengue strains in Kaohsiung City include DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4.The prevalent dengue strain in Tainan City is DEN-4.The prevalent dengue strain in Tainan County is DEN-1.All four strains of dengue virus have appeared in southern Taiwan.If the dengue epidemic continues unabated, it is highly likely that an epidemic of dengue hemorrhagic fever might occur.According to the statistics compiled by Taiwan CDC during the past years, the mortality rate of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Taiwan is almost 10%.

As of September 14, 2010, a total of 141 indigenous dengue cases, including 2 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases, have been reported in Taiwan since March, 2010.116 indigenous dengue fever cases have been reported in Kaohsiung City, 20 indigenous dengue fever cases have been reported in Tainan County, 3 indigenous dengue fever cases have been reported in Tainan City, 1 indigenous dengue fever case has been reported in Kaohsiung County, and 1 indigenous dengue fever case has been reported in Taipei City.Further, more imported cases of dengue fever have been detected this year as compared to that in the past years.Thus far, a total of 203 imported cases of dengue fever have been detected.Taiwan CDC once again urges the public to stay vigilant against dengue fever and take necessary measures such as draining water containers and cleaning up vector breeding sites around their residences as well as preventing mosquito bites to effectively prevent the spread of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever and protect their health and the health of their family.Anyone found in violation of Article 25 of the Communicable Disease Control Act for failing to clean up vector breeding sites will be fined NT$ 3,000 up to NT$ 15,000 according to Article 70 of the Communicable Disease Control Act.Taiwan CDC urges clinicians to remain vigilant for the diagnosis of dengue fever, especially among patients with fever, and report suspected dengue cases to health authorities promptly to prevent further transmission.

For any questions or further information on dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw.