Two new indigenous dengue cases confirmed in Kaohsiung City constitute this year’s first family cluster
On August 3, 2017, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced two additional indigenous dengue cases confirmed in Kaohsiung City who are family members of this year’s first indigenous case confirmed on July 27, which constitute this year’s family dengue cluster. As of now, all three cases have been discharged from the hospital. The two additional cases were identified during an expanded epidemiological investigation conducted by the local health bureau in Dachang Village, Nanzi District, Kaohsiung City. Infection with dengue was confirmed in the two cases after the second specimen collection. To prevent the further spread of the disease, the local health authority has implemented various prevention measures, including cleaning of vector breeding sites, investigating the mosquito population density around the places the cases frequent, and providing the public with relevant health education.
Among the 3 cluster cases, 1 case sought medical attention 4 times, elevating the risk of dengue transmission. As the dengue vector mosquito season has arrived, the public is urged to empty and clean any standing water and cooperate with the health authority during an epidemiological investigation and the implementation of relevant prevention measures. On the other hand, healthcare facilities are urged to heighten vigilance for suspected cases and report suspected cases to the competent health authority as soon as possible in order to facilitate the implementation of subsequent prevention measures that prevent further transmission.
Thus far this year, a cumulative total of 3 indigenous dengue cases that constitute a family cluster in Kaohsiung City and 154 imported dengue cases have been confirmed in Taiwan. Imported cases were mostly from Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia and Vietnam. Last year, a cumulative total of 380 indigenous dengue cases and 363 imported dengue cases were confirmed.
Recently, the overall level of dengue activity in Southeast Asia has been on the rise. The most affected countries include Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia. Among them, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Laos have reported a higher number of cases compared to the same period last year.
As the typhoon season is upon us, heavy downpours that facilitate mosquito breeding are expected. 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. Travelers planning to visit areas affected by dengue fever are urged to take precautions against mosquito bites. If symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention