As of August 22, there have been a total of 2,135 local cases, with 1,781 of those cases reported from Tainan City.
The northern areas of New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, and Hsinchu County have all reported their first local infections over the past week.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also issued travel alerts for visitors returning from seven countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. These countries are currently experiencing high levels of dengue fever activity, and the CDC is urging travelers to take precautions to avoid infection.
The CDC is advising travelers to the following countries to take the following precautions to avoid dengue fever:
- Wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from mosquito bites.
- Use insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin.
- Stay in well-screened areas.
- Drain standing water around your home to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
If you think you may have been infected with dengue fever, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications.
The CDC is also urging people in Taiwan to take steps to protect themselves from dengue fever. These steps include:
- Eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around your home.
- Using insect repellent when you are outdoors.
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are outdoors, especially during the early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Keeping your windows and doors screened.
The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
In addition to the travel alerts, the CDC is also working to increase awareness of dengue fever among the public. The CDC has launched a public education campaign that includes information on how to prevent dengue fever, how to recognize the symptoms, and where to get treatment.
The CDC is also working with local health authorities to control the spread of dengue fever. This includes mosquito control measures, such as spraying insecticides and draining standing water.
The CDC is committed to protecting the health of the people of Taiwan. The agency will continue to work closely with local health authorities to monitor the situation and take steps to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that is caused by the dengue virus. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes are found in tropical and subtropical climates around the world.
Dengue fever is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. It is estimated that there are 50 to 100 million cases of dengue fever each year, and about 22,000 to 40,000 deaths.
The symptoms of dengue fever usually start 4 to 7 days after the mosquito bite. The most common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
In some cases, dengue fever can develop into a more severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF is characterized by bleeding, low blood pressure, and shock. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. However, early diagnosis and supportive care can help to prevent serious complications. Treatment for dengue fever typically includes:
- Rest
- Fluids
- Pain relievers
- Medicine to control fever
In cases of DHF, patients may also need blood transfusions and other supportive care.
There is no vaccine for dengue fever. However, there are a number of things that people can do to protect themselves from the disease, including:
- Avoiding mosquito bites
- Using insect repellent
- Wearing long sleeves and pants
- Staying in well-screened areas
- Draining standing water around the home
Dengue fever is a serious disease, but it is preventable. By taking steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites, you can help to reduce your risk of getting sick.
Here are some additional information about dengue fever:
- There are four different serotypes of the dengue virus. Once a person is infected with one serotype, they are immune to that serotype for life. However, they can still be infected with the other serotypes.
- People who are infected with dengue fever for the second or third time are more likely to develop DHF.
- There is no specific treatment for DHF, but early diagnosis and supportive care can help to prevent serious complications.
- The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites. This can be done by:
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are outdoors, especially during the early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Using insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin.
- Staying in well-screened areas.
- Draining standing water around your home.
If you think you may have dengue fever, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. However, early diagnosis and supportive care can help to prevent serious complications. Treatment for dengue fever typically includes:
- Rest: Getting plenty of rest is important to help your body fight the infection.
- Fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, clear soup, or sports drinks, is important to prevent dehydration.
- Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred pain reliever for dengue fever. Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided because they can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Medicine to control fever: Acetaminophen can also be used to control fever.
In cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), patients may also need blood transfusions and other supportive care. DHF is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Here are some additional things you can do to help relieve the symptoms of dengue fever:
- Take cool baths or showers.
- Apply a cool compress to your forehead.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid strenuous activity.
If you think you may have dengue fever, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications.
Here are some of the things you can do to prevent dengue fever:
- Avoid mosquito bites: This is the most important way to prevent dengue fever. You can avoid mosquito bites by:
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are outdoors, especially during the early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Using insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin.
- Staying in well-screened areas.
- Draining standing water around your home.
- Get vaccinated: There is no vaccine available for all four serotypes of dengue virus, but there is a vaccine available for serotype 1. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but it can help to protect you from getting sick.
- Take precautions when traveling: If you are traveling to an area where dengue fever is common, take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. You can also get vaccinated against serotype 1 if you are traveling to an area where that serotype is common.