The number of dengue fever cases in Taiwan is nearing 7,000 as an outbreak of the disease continues around the island.
Cases have been reported in twenty cities and counties around Taiwan, but 98% are in the southern counties of Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung. On Tuesday, Tainan saw 483 new cases. On Wednesday, the health ministry announced there were a total of 6,872 cases.
Centers for Disease Control official Chuang Jen-chune said that September is usually the peak time for the disease, "According to data from past years, September is the peak time for the disease. We are also fighting the environment," said Chuang. "If we don’t do anything now, the outbreak will get worse. So we need to keep working hard to find a way to turn the outbreak around."
So far, 34 patients with dengue fever have been placed in intensive care.