Outbreak of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, Kaohsiung, January–April 2016

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20161018.32(20).002

Tzu-Yi Lee^＊, Hui-Chen Lin, Yen-Chang Tuan, Min-Nan Hung, Chiou-Yueh You, Pi-Long Liu

2016 Vol.32 NO.20

Correspondence Author： Tzu-Yi Lee^＊

Abstract：

From January to April this year, three cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were confirmed in Lingya District, Kaohsiung City. The index case-patient was a 76-year-old woman who was bitten by a rat in February 2016. Further investigation identified that the girlfriend of her grandson and a fishmonger of a traditional market in Linya District were tested positive for hantavirus IgM and IgG. The index case-patient has been shopping at the same market, and her resident house is less than 200 meters far from it. Over the past five years, five hantavirus infections, including the three outbreak cases, were reported. People have less sense about diseases transmitted from rodents. Rodent control is necessary to reduce rodent population. A comprehensive preventive strategy, including health education and promotion, rodent control, environmental sanitation, and surveillance, can be implemented to prevent hantavirus infection.