Dengue rapid diagnostic test is merely one of the methods for diagnosing dengue infection. Hence, even when the test kit is out of stock or a healthcare institute does not stockpile the test kit, there are other methods to diagnose the infection and the implementation of relevant prevention and control efforts will not thus be affected. Healthcare institutes can submit patient specimens to designated laboratories for diagnosis through reporting suspected cases to the health authority. In light of the ongoing dengue outbreak in southern Taiwan, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has purchase additional 10,000 dengue rapid diagnostic test kits and established the“Central Rapid Diagnostic Test Coordination Group” to mobilize resources in support local communities and governments.

When elderly and patients with chronic medical conditions are suspected of dengue infection, they can consider the option of self-paid rapid diagnostic test to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. The test kit currently available in the market costs about NT$ 300, excluding the registration fees and the diagnosis fees. Patients can also choose to be reported by the healthcare institute as suspected cases to the health authority for laboratory diagnosis of the infection. The laboratory test result is ready in approximately one day’s time.  

During May 1 and September 3, 2015, a total of 4,667 new indigenous dengue cases were confirmed in Taiwan, including 4,115 cases in Tainan City and 477 cases in Kaohsiung City. In response to the ongoing outbreak, Taiwan CDC has sent 4,000 dengue rapid diagnostic test kits to the healthcare institutes in Tainan City and Kaohsiung City and purchased 10,000 more test kits to be distributed by the “Central Rapid Diagnostic Test Coordination Group” to healthcare institutes in affected communities in order to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment and prevent the occurrence of severe cases.

Taiwan CDC advises when dengue fever is diagnosed, please follow the doctor’s instructions in completing the treatment and rest at home as much as possible. In addition, dengue patients are also advised to avoid getting mosquito bites within five days after the onset of the disease in order to prevent further spread of the virus through other mosquitoes. To prevent mosquito bites, the public is urged to take precautions such as installing screen doors and window screens to houses, wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants, using mosquito nets, mosquito repellent lamps and electric mosquito swatters, as well as applying officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed parts of the body. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).