The Central Epidemic Command Center for dengue fever yesterday reported another 33 deaths resulting from the disease, bringing the total death toll since May to 89.
A total of 42 suspected deaths had been examined recently, the center said, adding that among the 33 deaths confirmed to be caused by dengue fever, 28 were in Tainan, four in Kaohsiung and one in Pingtung.
The ages of those who died ranged from 41 to 90, and many of them also suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes, and liver or cardiovascular disease — a high-risk group for complications from dengue, it said.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said 385 dengue cases were reported on Tuesday, with 277 in Tainan and 98 in Kaohsiung.
He said the daily reported case numbers have dropped in all the districts in Tainan, and that the reported cases in Kaohsiung remain about the same, compared with previous months.
CDC data showed a total of 21,357 dengue cases reported nationwide since May, with 18,096 in Tainan, 2,904 in Kaohsiung and 86 in Pingtung as of Tuesday.
The Taipei City Government’s Department of Health said it had confirmed three reported cases of dengue in the city, with two of the people having traveled to Tainan and one being a Malaysian who arrived in Taiwan on Monday.
The department said it had taken immediate measures to prevent an outbreak in the capital.
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