Taiwan
Sep 25, 2015
Last year saw
15,732 cases - by far the highest in nearly three decades - with this year
shaping up to overtake it.
The total number
of cases for this year has already hit 15,282, the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) said yesterday, with the majority in southern Tainan City
Unusually hot
weather has caused the increase, it said.
High
temperatures and humidity encourage breeding of mosquitoes, which is why
countries with tropical climates - including Taiwan
"This year
saw temperatures in Tainan and (the southern
region of) Kaohsiung
"It's
likely at its peak right now. The epidemic across South-east Asian countries is
generally more serious this year," he added.
Another 36
deaths are being examined for their connection to dengue fever.
Dengue fever -
which causes high fever, headaches, itching and joint pains - affects two
million people across the globe annually, with the number of cases up 30 times
in the last 50 years, according to the World Health Organization.
The virus, for
which there is no vaccine, can lead to vomiting, bleeding and breathing
difficulty in more severe cases.
Cases in Thailand have nearly tripled this year, while Malaysia
Local media have
reported the epidemic hitting tourism in Tainan ,
a city with a population of 1.88 million, which draws visitors with its
historic architecture and reputation as Taiwan
Businesses have
seen a 50 per cent drop in visitors since the outbreak, United Daily News
reported earlier this month.
Structure of the Lead:
WHO- Taiwan people
WHEN- this summer
WHAT- the dengue fever
WHY- mosquitoes
WHERE- the south of Taiwan
HOW- many people died
Keywords:
