Disease control agency concerned over dengue fever

More than 100 cases of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne, potentially fatal disease, have been confirmed since late June, the Center for Disease Control said at a press conference yesterday.

In total 118 cases have been confirmed, 88 of which were in Kaohsiung, the center said. The number of recorded cases increased by 44 within the space of a week, it added.

Most of the new cases were identified in Kaohsiung's Cianjhen District and Fongshan City.

The center's deputy chief director, Lin Ting (林頂), said he was concerned that the outbreak could spread to Tainan City and Pingtung County.

Lin added that the center feared another serious dengue fever epidemic such as occurred in 2002, when 533 cases were diagnosed, 242 of which led to hemorrhaging and 21 of which led to death.

"When there is a sharp increase in the number of dengue fever cases, [hospitals have to cope with] a large number of patients suffering serious symptoms," he said.

Lin said if the number of cases reached 300, the center would initiate a national surveillance mechanism.