The number of dengue fever cases recorded in Taiwan since early this summer has exceeded 5,000. Almost 90% of the cases reported are in the southern city of Tainan.
The Centers for Disease Control said on Saturday that the number of cases has increased to 5,186. As of Friday, 4,585 cases had been reported in Tainan, an increase of 470 cases from the previous day.
The neighboring city of Kaohsiung had 519 cases, while other cities and counties had far fewer, with Pingtung reporting 20, New Taipei City 13, Taichung 11, Taoyuan 9, Chiayi 6, and Hsinchu 3.
Keelung, Taipei and Chiayi cities have each reported two cases, while Hualien, Yilan, Nantou, Yunlin, Miaoli, Kinmen, Changhua and Penghu counties have each recorded one case.
Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease with symptoms that include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. In a small number of cases, the disease can develop into hemorrhagic dengue fever, which can be fatal.