On October 20, 2017, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced 1 new indigenous dengue case. The case is a 40-something male who resides in Taoyuan City. During October 9 and 17, he sought medical attention several times after subsequently developing fever, headache, retroorbital pain, and rash. His physician voluntarily inquired the case of his recent travel and activity history. According to the case, he visited a bamboo forest in Dunghu Village, Yingge District, New Taipei City on September 30. He was reported to the health authority as a suspected case on October 17 and infection with dengue fever was confirmed in the case on October 19.

This case is highly associated with the previously reported cluster in New Taipei City in terms of geography. Hence, it was determined that this case is related to the cluster. Thus far, a total of 7 cases have been associated with the cluster and all of them visited Donghu Village, Yingge District New Taipei City in late September. To promote public dengue awareness in the area, the local health authority has been putting up awareness flags in Donghu Village and continued to implement various prevention measures. As of now, none of the contacts residing in the same household with the new case has experienced any suspected symptoms. Taiwan CDC will continue to monitor the development of the cluster till November 6. As of October 19, 2017, 10 indigenous cases have been confirmed in Taiwan thus far this year.

Although few dengue outbreaks has occurred in norther Taiwan in the past,　the population of Aedes albopictus is primarily found in plains and mountains under the altitude of 1500 meters on the island. The mosquito’s primary habitat is outdoor. As dengue is spread through the bite of the infected mosquito,Taiwan CDC reminds the public to regularly empty and clean any standing water in order to prevent vector mosquito from breeding. If symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of recent travel and activity history to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. Healthcare providers are urged to heighten vigilance for suspected cases, inquire their travel history, occupation, exposure history and the possibility of potential clusters, as well as reinforce case reporting in order to facilitate subsequent implementation of prevention measures.

According to the weather forecast made by the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), the influence of recent weather fronts in northern part of Taiwan will bring rainfall to the area. Taiwan CDC reminds that accumulation of standing rain water in containers facilitates the breeding of vector mosquitoes. Hence, Taiwan CDC urges the public to empty and clean any potential vector breeding sites such as containers that collect standing water in and around the home periodically in order to prevent dengue transmission. 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).