Taiwan is experiencing an increase in domestic dengue fever cases, and the global epidemic is also becoming worse. The number of imported dengue fever cases has reached its highest level in three years, according to CDC statistics. International epidemic analysis reports also show that the recent total of dengue fever cases in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia is higher than the same period in the past three to four years and continues to display an upward trend. Director Su Shi-bin of Tainan City’s Dengue Fever Prevention and Control Center pointed out that being infected by different types of dengue viruses may increase the probability of developing severe dengue fever symptoms. Since it is summer vacation and high travel season right now, Su reminded travelers going abroad or returning home to visit family must take caution and protect themselves from dengue fever.
Director Su recommended that citizens should inspect both indoor and outdoor environments of their residences before leaving for their trips, make sure water containers that could easily trap water are turned over, covered with a lid, or properly stored. When abroad, travelers should wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use MoHW-approved mosquito repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 ingredients. Travelers should pay attention to their health within two weeks of returning home. If you show suspected symptoms, please seek medical assistance as soon as possible and inform your doctor of your travel and contact history. Front-line medical care providers are urged to actively inquire about the TOCC (travel history, occupation, contact history, cluster history) of patients with suspected symptoms, order dengue fever NS1 rapid screening tests and report confirmed cases.
Director Su reiterated that as international travels are becoming more frequent, local residents in all districts should be vigilant and enhance anti-mosquito measures, wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use mosquito repellents approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare when necessary. If you experience fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, rashes, or muscle/joint/bone pain, seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your travel history. All hospitals and clinics in Tainan City are urged to stay alert. Medical care providers that come across patients who have unexplained fever, show any of the above-mentioned symptoms, and have a history of activity in the Rende District, East District, or Yongkang District, should use the dengue fever NS1 rapid screening test to detect hidden cases early on and stop the disease from spreading in the community.
The Tainan City Dengue Fever Prevention and Control Center continues to increase screening stations to provide immediate and accessible testing services to the public. NS1 rapid testing services are available at 37 District Health Centers and nearly 400 contract hospitals throughout the city. Please go in for testing promptly if you exhibit suspected dengue fever symptoms and have a history of activities in the aforementioned dengue epidemic areas. For more information about Tainan’s NS1 rapid testing medical facilities, please visit the Tainan City Government Dengue Prevention and Control Center website or call the epidemic prevention hotline: 06-3366366.