On May 23, 2012, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first confirmed indigenous case of dengue fever in Taiwan. The case is a 12-year-old male student who resides in Nan-Tze District, Kaohsiung City. On May 12, the case developed symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite and vomiting. On My 13, he sought medical attention at a clinic. However, his symptoms persisted and he developed rashes. On May 16, he sought further medical attention. On May 22, Taiwan CDC confirmed dengue fever in the case. Since May 18, the local competent authority has conducted epidemiological investigation and proceeded with a thorough cleaning of vector breeding sites as well as implementing necessary disease control measures at and around the case’s residence to effectively control the spread of the disease.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, as of May 22, a cumulative total of 25 indigenous cases have been reported, including 13 cases from the last epidemic season. Since May, 11 indigenous cases have been reported in Tainan and 1 indigenous case has been reported in Kaohsiung, noting that the epidemic season usually starts between late June and August. As the environment determines the potential of dengue transmission, Taiwan CDC urges the public to voluntarily clean up vector breeding sites and reduce the number of water-storage containers in and around residences to prevent the spread of dengue fever. The public is also urged to periodically eliminate standing water on the rooftop and in the basement and drain or remove any unused containers that collect standing water such as used tires, cans, canvas, plastic bottles, and plant pots in order to reduce the breeding of vector mosquitoes.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to voluntarily remove standing water, clean up vector breeding sites and reduce the number of water-storage containers in and around residences at least once a week to prevent the spread of dengue fever. According to Article 70 of the Communicable 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. Further, Taiwan CDC emphasizes if symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, retroorbital pain, myalgia, and arthragia develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of any recent travel history and activity.

For any questions or further information on dengue fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw.