The number of dengue fever cases recorded since the start of summer in Taiwan has risen to 8,677, as the potentially fatal disease continues to spread.
On Saturday the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that as of Friday, 7,660 cases had been reported in the southern city of Tainan, 885 in neighboring Kaohsiung, and 28 in Pingtung. The number of cases reported in these three cities account for almost 99% of the national total.
The CDC said 18 people in Taiwan have died of the mosquito-borne disease since May 1.
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.