Taiwan deals with worst summer outbreak of dengue fever

Taiwan is battling its worst summer outbreak of dengue fever in more than a decade as cases exceed 4,000 in the course of 4 months.

According to the island's disease control center on Wednesday, the total number of dengue fever cases reached 4,343, with 10 deaths, since the start of this summer. It is considered the worst outbreak on the island since the authority began systematic tracking of the disease in 2003.

Tainan City reported 3,825 dengue cases, making it the hardest hit, and neighboring Kaohsiung City had 445 cases, latest official figures show.

An epidemic prevention worker from Kaohsiung was diagnosed with dengue fever after getting bit by mosquitoes during inspection. The city health agency said it was the first medical worker to be infected in 10 years, as all health workers have received professional training and are "armed to the teeth" with protective hats, sleeves and mosquito repellent.

On Wednesday, Taiwan's executive authority set aside 30 million new Taiwan dollars (about 920,000 U.S. dollars) to help Tainan City with dengue fever prevention and control efforts.

The disease control center earmarked 800,000 new Taiwan dollars on dengue quick test reagents for hospitals and public health centers in Tainan and Kaohsiung.

An official with the center said lower temperatures in autumn might slow mosquito growth and prevent spread of the disease.

A researching team at Taiwan Ocean University has succeeded in cultivating small insectivorous rice fish and will release them to get rid of mosquito larvae in drains and ponds in Tainan.

Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands, vomiting and rash. Endi