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CHP alert on rising dengue activity in Taiwan
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 20) again urged the public to stay vigilant and maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures during travel as the number of cases of dengue fever (DF) in Taiwan is on the rise.

     "We have been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas and noted an increase in dengue activity in Taiwan, particularly in southern areas," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     According to the health authority of Taiwan, 190 DF cases (including two deaths) have been recorded to date in 2015, comprising 108 local and 82 imported cases. Among the local cases, the majority (101 cases, 94 per cent) resided in Kaohsiung, while 18 were reported in Taipei, 15 in New Taipei and 10 in Taichung.

     Of note, six additional local and two imported DF dengue cases were confirmed within one week from May 12 to 18, including a cluster of five locals in the community who all visited the same market in Nanzih, Kaoshiung, upon epidemiological investigations into their local movements.

     Regarding popular tourist attractions in Asia, 38 517 DF cases have been recorded in Malaysia so far this year, 19 946 in the Philippines, 11 699 in Thailand, 9 727 in Vietnam, 3 055 in Singapore and 80 in Japan. Turning to neighbouring areas, 26 cases have been recorded in Guangdong while one was recorded in Macau. In the Americas, 745 957 were filed in Brazil and 21 532 in Mexico.

     Locally, from May 8 to yesterday (May 19), two additional confirmed DF cases were recorded in which the patients travelled to Indonesia and Thailand respectively during the incubation period. As of yesterday, a total of 33 imported DF cases had been recorded this year, an increase of 43 per cent compared with 23 cases in the same period last year.

     "Dengue activity remains high in neighbouring areas, including popular tourist attractions in southeast Asia. Locally, the long period of warm weather is favourable for vector proliferation and activity. With the large volume of international travel and wide distribution of vectors in Hong Kong, the risk of more imported cases and even local transmission is thus high," the spokesman added.

     Dengue viruses encompass four different serotypes. The symptoms of first infection with one serotype are usually mild, but subsequent infections with other serotypes are more likely to result in a serious complication, namely dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF is a severe and potentially fatal complication. Without proper treatment, the DHF case fatality rate can exceed 20 per cent.

     According to the World Health Organization, although clinical trials on humans for some dengue vaccine candidates are ongoing, none are now available and registered with any drug regulatory authorities. Strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures hence remain the most effective means against DF both locally and during travel.

Avoid mosquito bites
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     Travellers should stay alert to the DF risk before departing, and take heed of the preventive measures below:

* Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers, and use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing;
* Avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products and re-apply insect repellents according to instructions in outdoor activities;
* Before the trip, arrange travel health consultation at least six weeks in advance for any extra measures against mosquito bites; and
* During the trip, carry a portable bed net and apply permethrin (an insecticide) on it in rural endemic areas. Permethrin should not be applied to skin.
 
     The incubation period of DF ranges from three to 14 days, commonly four to seven days. Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctors.

Remove breeding sites
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     Members of the public should also prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and maintain good environmental hygiene:
 
* Change the water in vases once a week;
* Clear the water in saucers under potted plants every week;
* Cover water containers tightly;
* Ensure air-conditioner drip trays are free of stagnant water;
* Put all used cans and bottles into covered dustbins; and
* Store food and dispose of garbage properly.
 
     The public may visit the pages below for more information:
 
* The CHP's DF page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38847.html);
* The DF page of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup_dengue.html);
* The DH's latest Travel Health News (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/outbreaknews.html);
* The CHP's tips for using insect repellents (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38927.html);
* The CHP Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection);
* The CHP YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel); and
* The FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/safefood/handbook_prev_mos_breeding.html).

Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:36

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