To lower the impact of imported dengue cases on public health in Taiwan, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) planned to implement dengue NS1 rapid test for all inbound passengers who are detected with a fever and have a travel history to areas affected by dengue at international airports, including Taoyuan International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, Taichung Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport, beginning January 1, 2016. The entire procedure will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes, which will help ensure prompt detection and treatment, as well as subsequent implementation of the relevant prevention and control measures.

According to the statistics compiled by Taiwan CDC, in the recent three years (during 2013 and November 2015), the numbers of inbound passengers detected with suspected dengue infection at international airports in Taiwan respectively are 2,043, 1,632, and 2,060. In addition, the numbers of people who were confirmed to have dengue infection after submitting blood sample for laboratory confirmation at Taiwan CDC respectively are 108, 118 and 146. The blood test takes one to two working days. Nevertheless, as the dengue NS1 rapid test becomes available at the quarantine station at international airports, it will only take 20 to 30 minutes to find out the result and passengers who are detected with dengue infection will be asked to cooperate with various prevention and control measures.

“Passengers who are suspected of dengue infection” refer to inbound passengers who are detected with a fever of 38℃ and above and who have stayed at a dengue-affected area over 6 days (including 6 days). Taiwan CDC points out that the use of dengue NS1 rapid test at international airports will allow prompt identification of dengue case and facilitate subsequent implementation of measures such as provision of individual health education, distribution of the “Dengue Rapid Test Notice for Arrival Passenger” and insect repellent, and notification of local health authority concerning the case through the Communicable Disease Information System, preventing further transmission of the disease.

Taiwan CDC urges travelers visiting areas affected by dengue to take precautions against mosquito bites such as wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants, and applying officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed parts of the body. After returning home from the affected area, please monitor your own health for signs of suspected symptoms. If symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of any relevant medical history, recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. When dengue fever is diagnosed, please follow the doctor’s instructions in completing the treatment, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and rest at home as much as possible to prevent the further spread of the virus through mosquitoes. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).