On October 13, 2017, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced 2 new indigenous dengue cases, which are both associated with the previously reported cluster in New Taipei City. During the incubation period, both cases visited areas around the index case’s residence. Subsequently, they sought medical attention after developing suspected symptoms. Their infections with DEN-1 were respectively confirmed on October 11 and 12. Based on their onset dates, they are associated with the previously reported cluster in New Taipei City. As of October 12, a total of 6 cases have been associated with the cluster.

To prevent the further spread of the disease, Taiwan CDC, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), the local health bureau and the local department of environmental protection have been implementing various prevention measures.，Besides the areas around the cases’ residences and the places the cases frequent, personnel in the community around the juncture where Taoyuan City meets Yingge, New Taipei City have been mobilized to reinforce the implementation of regional disease control efforts. Besides, the National Health Research Institute (NHRI) has arranged for mosquito experts from the National Vector-Borne Disease Research Institute to conduct a series of mosquito surveys around the areas frequent by the cases to assist in the control of this cluster outbreak. The local health authority has identified 710 contacts to monitor and follow up till November 1.

The number of days between one of the 2 newly confirmed cases’ symptom onset dates and the date of reporting the case to the health authority is 10. As a case remains infectious 1 day prior till 5 days after developing symptoms, potential cases remain “hidden” in the community without being timely reported and monitored, resulting in tardy implementation of disease control efforts and elevating the risk of further transmission. As it is still the vector mosquito season, Taiwan CDC once again 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. Physicians are urged to heighten vigilance for reporting suspected cases as soon as possible according to the relevant regulations.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, during October 9 and 12, 2017, 2 new indigenous dengue cases, which are related to the cluster previously reported in northern Taiwan, were confirmed. In addition, 5 new imported cases were confirmed. During the past one month, the majority of the imported cases acquired infection in Thailand. As of October 12, 2017, a total of 252 imported cases, including 2 deaths, and 9 indigenous cases have been confirmed in Taiwan thus far this year.

According to the weather forecast made by the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), the influence of subsiding air at the periphery of the recent typhoon will bring abundant rainfall in some parts of Taiwan. 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).