On December 28, 2015, a total of additional 49 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Kaohsiung City. Although dengue activity in Kaohsiung City has decreased for five consecutive weeks, the public is still urged to remain vigilant for the disease in order to ward off infection. Since this summer, a cumulative total of 43,060 indigenous dengue cases, including 22,750 cases in Tainan City, 19,395 cases in Kaohsiung City, 388 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities and counties, have been confirmed. 98.5% of the total reported cases have recovered.

The Center Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak announced 3 new deaths associated with dengue infection. Thus far, a cumulative total of 212 deaths, including 112 deaths in Tainan City, 97 deaths in Kaohsiung City, and 3 deaths in Pingtung City, were found to be linked with dengue infection.

The 3 new deaths associated with dengue infection include 2 men who resided in Kaohsiung City and 1 woman who resided in Pingtung County. Their ages ranged between 65 and 86. Most of them had multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which coincided with the conditions of high-risk patients listed in the World Health Organization’s guidelines. As of now, 15 deaths, including 12 from Kaohsiung City and 3 from Tainan City, are still waiting to be reviewed.

Among the 212 deaths found to be associated with dengue infection, 111 are men and 101 are women. The median age is 75 years old. Each of them, on average, had three chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery diseases and renal failures. The average number of days between onset and death is 6.2.

So far this year, as of December 28, a cumulative total of 357 imported dengue cases have been reported. Most of these imported cases came from countries in Southeast Asia. Among the affected countries in Southeast Asia, dengue activities remain rampant but have all begun to gradually decline. Travelers planning to visit affected areas are still urged to take precautions against mosquitoes. CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public to continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites in and around the residence in order to effectively prevent dengue transmission. 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).