The number of dengue fever cases recorded in Taiwan since May has increased to 5,948, with about 90 percent in the southern city of Tainan, the island's health authorities said on Monday.
A total of 5,247 cases have been reported in Tainan, an increase of 363 cases from Sunday. The neighboring Kaohsiung City has reported 609 cases, accounting for a little more than 10 percent. Far fewer cases have been confirmed in other cities and counties, with Pingtung recording 21, New Taipei 15, Taichung 13, Taoyuan nine, Hsinchu seven and Chiayi six.
A 49-year-old male hospitalized on Friday was confirmed by the city's health agency as the fourth indigenous dengue fever case in Taipei on Monday.
Thirty dengue fever related deaths have been reported in the meantime, 29 of which were in Tainan and one in Kaohsiung.
Experts warned the situation might get out of control if the government fails to put a halt to the fast spread of the disease during an emergency meeting convened by the Tainan city government over the weekend. October and November are usually the outbreak period for dengue fever.
Liu Ching-chuan, an epidemiologist from Cheng Kung University said although most of the cases are reported in southern Taiwan, people in the north have no reason to be complacent. Dengue fever can spread quickly with the movement of people and vehicles due to Taiwan's highly developed transportation network.
The environment protection agency in Taipei has increased inspections and sent employees to spray disinfection around rooftop water tanks and ponds in the city.
Students in Tainan have been required to wear pants instead of shorts to school, an extraordinary sight seldom seen during summer.
The Taiwanese public has been urged to avoid mosquitoes when travelling in Southeast Asian countries. The island's disease control center suggested wearing light colored long-sleeved shirts and trousers and using mosquito repellent.
Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands, vomiting and rash.
