The Centre for Health Protection has urged the public to take Dengue fever precautions both at home and abroad, as local cases hit a 10-year high.
As of August 27, a total of 68 cases have been confirmed this year, consisting of a local case and 67 imported ones. It is the highest figure in 10 years for the corresponding period.
The 15 cases recorded in August so far is the highest for any month this year. From August 21 to 27, Hong Kong recorded three additional confirmed cases involving travellers who had been in Thailand and the Philippines.
Taiwan authorities recorded 1,118 Dengue cases in the week ending August 24. As of August 26, there were 3,005 cases recorded, comprising 2,839 local and 166 imported cases. Of these local cases, 84% were reported in Tainan and 14% in Kaohsiung.
The number of Taiwan cases so far this year is 2.3 times that of the corresponding period last year.
Elsewhere in Asia, 75,795 cases have been recorded in Malaysia so far this year, 55,428 in Thailand, 48,872 in the Philippines, 24,968 in Vietnam, 6,250 in Singapore, and 151 in Japan.
Thirty had been recorded in Guangdong as of May 26, and two in Macau.
The centre urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and while travelling.
