Shiloh
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Source: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/03/31/202414/Northern-Taiwan.htm
Updated Tuesday, March 31, 2009 5:32 pm TWN, By Y.L. Kao, CNA
Northern Taiwan should remain on guard against dengue: CDC
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Residents in northern Taiwan should not let down their guard against dengue fever, although the nation's first case of indigenous dengue fever this year was confirmed in the southern county of Kaohsiung, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.
The CDC issued the warning in light of the fact that indigenous dengue fever cases were recorded last year in Taipei city and county, Keelung city and Taoyuan county, which it said indicates that a dengue outbreak could occur not just in the south of the island, but also in the northern regions.
The first case this year was a 55-year-old farmer from Daliao, Kaohsiung County who worked on a pineapple farm in the southernmost county of Pingtung. On March 22, he showed typical symptoms of the disease, including fever, joint soreness and pains, and a skin rash, according to the CDC.
The case was reported March 27 when the man was hospitalized, the CDC said.
Subsequent blood tests ruled out the possibility that his family members were also infected, it added.
As of March 30 this year, Taiwan had recorded a total of 41 dengue fever cases -- one indigenous case and 40 imported cases, according to statistics released by the CDC.
As outbreaks of dengue fever in neighboring countries have increased this year, the number of imported cases has risen significantly to 40, compared with 23 recorded during the same period of last year, the CDC said.
Of the imported cases, 23 were from Indonesia, 13 from Vietnam, two from Thailand, and one each from Myanmar and India, the statistics showed.
The CDC urged people to clean up their communities and empty water in indoor and outdoor containers at least once a week as these could serve as breeding grounds for dengue carrying mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes also breed in drains, discarded tires, plant pots, uncovered buckets, and canopies, the CDC warned.
The center also urged that people seek immediate medical treatment if they develop early symptoms of dengue fever, such as fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pains.
People who think that they may have been infected should have a screening test and if they are confirmed as dengue cases, they would be given an NT$2,500 reward for reporting the disease, in accordance with a reward clause in the Communicable Disease Control Act, the CDC added.
Updated Tuesday, March 31, 2009 5:32 pm TWN, By Y.L. Kao, CNA
Northern Taiwan should remain on guard against dengue: CDC
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Residents in northern Taiwan should not let down their guard against dengue fever, although the nation's first case of indigenous dengue fever this year was confirmed in the southern county of Kaohsiung, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.
The CDC issued the warning in light of the fact that indigenous dengue fever cases were recorded last year in Taipei city and county, Keelung city and Taoyuan county, which it said indicates that a dengue outbreak could occur not just in the south of the island, but also in the northern regions.
The first case this year was a 55-year-old farmer from Daliao, Kaohsiung County who worked on a pineapple farm in the southernmost county of Pingtung. On March 22, he showed typical symptoms of the disease, including fever, joint soreness and pains, and a skin rash, according to the CDC.
The case was reported March 27 when the man was hospitalized, the CDC said.
Subsequent blood tests ruled out the possibility that his family members were also infected, it added.
As of March 30 this year, Taiwan had recorded a total of 41 dengue fever cases -- one indigenous case and 40 imported cases, according to statistics released by the CDC.
As outbreaks of dengue fever in neighboring countries have increased this year, the number of imported cases has risen significantly to 40, compared with 23 recorded during the same period of last year, the CDC said.
Of the imported cases, 23 were from Indonesia, 13 from Vietnam, two from Thailand, and one each from Myanmar and India, the statistics showed.
The CDC urged people to clean up their communities and empty water in indoor and outdoor containers at least once a week as these could serve as breeding grounds for dengue carrying mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes also breed in drains, discarded tires, plant pots, uncovered buckets, and canopies, the CDC warned.
The center also urged that people seek immediate medical treatment if they develop early symptoms of dengue fever, such as fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pains.
People who think that they may have been infected should have a screening test and if they are confirmed as dengue cases, they would be given an NT$2,500 reward for reporting the disease, in accordance with a reward clause in the Communicable Disease Control Act, the CDC added.