Taipei: A total of 69 imported cases of dengue fever have been reported in Taiwan as of June 2 this year, marking the second-highest figure in six years, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Impressively, there have been no local dengue fever cases reported so far this year.
According to Focus Taiwan, the 69 confirmed dengue fever cases in Taiwan as of June 2 were all imported. A significant 91.3 percent of these cases originated from Southeast Asia, with 33 from Indonesia, 10 from the Philippines, and eight from Vietnam, as detailed by Kuo Hung-wei, head of the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center, during a regular media briefing.
CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesperson Lo Yi-chun highlighted that although there have been no local dengue cases reported this year, the first local cases in both 2023 and 2024 were reported during the first week of June. With the increase in imported cases, there is a potential risk of local outbreaks and community transmission. Lo advised the public to remain vigilant.
Lo further noted that Taiwan is currently in the plum rain season, which is characterized by rainfall across the country. The resulting standing water from rainfall, along with rising temperatures, creates an ideal environment for the breeding of mosquitoes that carry dengue fever. This situation increases the risk of community transmission.
To mitigate this risk, Lo urged the public to eliminate standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding and lower the risk of dengue infection. In 2024, the world saw a surge in dengue fever cases, with more than 14 million reported globally, a significant increase from previous years. Dengue fever transmission remains high this year, with over 2.53 million cases recorded, according to the CDC.
With ongoing dengue fever outbreaks in neighboring Southeast Asian countries, the CDC advised travelers returning to Taiwan to inform airport quarantine officers if they experience symptoms such as fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, or skin rash, as these could be potential signs of dengue fever infection.