The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has combined all recent trends in the spread of dengue fever for analysis and has concluded that spread of the disease has peaked and begun to retreat. One new death related to dengue hemorrhagic fever was also reported however, and therefore despite the halt in growth of the disease, the situation remains severe. Citizens are asked to continue seeking and eradicating mosquitoes and potential breeding grounds, and to seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell. Doctors should increase their vigilance for stomach pain, continuous vomiting, drowsiness and other symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever, and provide appropriate treatment as soon as possible. 

In a recent case, an 81-year-old resident of Qianzheng District, Kaohsiung died of dengue hemorrhagic fever. The individual, who also suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes, began to show signs of fever and difficulty breathing on October 29. After admission to the emergency room on November 3, the victim entered the ICU and was diagnosed with dengue. However, upon arrival at the hospital the patient was already in unstable condition and entering shock. The patients condition continued to deteriorate and sadly the individual passed away November 4. Those living with and who came into contact with the patient have not shown any symptoms. 

This year (2014) a total of 75 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported. 55 cases were discharged from hospital, while 9 ended in death; 11 remain in hospital. 

According to recent weekly cases of dengue by diagnosis, weekly cases received by health bureaus and weekly cases studied, as well as analysis of yearly trends, the Taiwan CDC has determined that the outbreak has passed its peak and is gradually retreating. As of November 6, cumulative domestic cases numbered 9,608. Of those, 9,594 occurred after the start of the summer season. Distribution of cases is as follows: Kaohsiung, 9,347 cases; Pingtung County, 125 cases; Tainan, 56 cases; New Taipei City, 12 cases; Penghu County, 11 cases; Taipei, 8 cases; Taichung, 7 cases; Yunlin County, 5 cases; Hsinchu City, 4 cases; Taitung County, Taoyuan County and Chiayi City, 3 cases each; Miaoli, Hsinchu, Chiayi and Changhua Counties, 2 cases each; Yilan and Nantou Counties, 1 case each. The risk of infection is present in all cities and counties. 

The Taiwan CDC has stated that although the outbreak has begun to retreat, the threat of infection with dengue hemorrhagic fever remains high. Citizens are asked to continue to clear potential mosquito breeding grounds in and around their homes. Doctors should increase vigilance toward patients, watching for stomach pain, continuous vomiting, bleeding from mucous membranes, drowsiness and other warning signs related to dengue hemorrhagic fever, and provide appropriate treatment as soon as possible in order to reduce the incidence of severe cases or death. 

For detailed information please refer to the Taiwan CDCs global information website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the domestic toll-free disease prevention hotline: 1922 (or 0800-001922).