According to the statistics compiled by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak, a total of additional 263 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan on October 11, 2015, including 162 cases in Tainan City and 98 cases in Kaohsiung City, which is a new record low since September. The number of new cases reported in Tainan City is 57 cases less than that reported during the same day last week, while the number of new cases reported in Kaohsiung City is 35 cases more than that reported during the same day last week. The number of average new weekly cases reported in Tainan City has been on the decline, indicating dengue activity in the city is slowing down. On the other hand, the number of average new weekly cases reported in Kaohsiung City has been on the rise.

Although the number of new dengue cases in Tainan City has dropped, it has been gradually increasing in Kaohsiung City. Hence, the Kaohsiung City government has planned to strengthen their prevention and control efforts. Since this summer, a cumulative total of 23,110 indigenous dengue cases, including 19,204 cases in Tainan City, 3,519 cases in Kaohsiung City, 92 cases in Pingtung City and imported and sporadic cases in other cities in counties, have been confirmed. On October 11, 3 new deaths that might be associated with dengue infection were reported. Thus far, a cumulative total of 89 deaths were found to be linked with dengue infection. 35 deaths, including 29 from Tainan City and 6 from Kaohsiung City, are still waiting to be reviewed. Currently, 69 dengue patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. 87.9 % of the total reported cases, which is approximately 20,319 patients, have recovered.

As fall approaches and the weather gets colder, CECC for Dengue Outbreak reminds the public to continue to periodically clean and empty water container in and around their residences and dengue symptoms are similar to those of influenza-like illness. In addition, travelers visiting areas affected by dengue are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites such as wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants, and applying officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed parts of the body. After returning home from the affected area, please monitor your own health for signs of suspected symptoms. If symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, 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. 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).