On August 3, 2011, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced the first indigenous case of dengue fever that occurred in Taiwan this year. As the peak season for dengue has approached, Taiwan CDC urges the public to clean up vector-breeding sites to prevent dengue transmission.

According to Taiwan CDC, the case resides in Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City. On July 29, he developed symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache and poor appetite. On the same day, he sought medical attention at a clinic On July 30, he sought medical attention at a medical center. When his symptoms persisted on the following day, he sought further medical attention again at the medical center that he went to the day before and was reported to the health authority as a suspected dengue case. According to the initial epidemiological investigation, the case has mainly ranged around his residence. However, prior to his disease onset, he had farmed at NeiPu in Pingtung. Upon receiving the report of the case, the Pingtung County Health Bureau immediately conducted an epidemiologic investigation and a thorough cleaning of vector breeding sites as well as implemented necessary disease control measures at and around the case’s residence and the field the case worked at.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to stay vigilant against the disease and take necessary measures such as draining water containers and cleaning up vector breeding sites around their residences as well as preventing mosquito bites to effectively prevent the spread of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever and protect their health and the health of their family. According to Article 70 of the Communicabe Disease Control Act, anyone who refuses, evades or obstructs disease control measures such as inspection decided by competent authorities or fails to notify the competent authorities of the presence of vector breeding sites that is later identified by competent authorities or clean up vector breeding sites as requested by competent authorities may be fined NT$ 3,000 up to NT$ 15,000.

Taiwan CDC emphasizes if you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, retroorbital pain, myalgia, and arthragia, please seek medical attention as soon as possible and inform your doctor of your recent travel history and activity. On the other hand, all doctors are urged to remain vigilant for dengue fever and report any suspected case to the local health authorities immediately. For any questions or further information on dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw.