Against the indigenous dengue cluster infections in Gushan District, Kaohsiung City this year (2025), spontaneous sampling and specimen examination were carried out and 1 more case was found today (August 27). The case was a female over 70 years of age. It was found to be a confirmed case with PCR positive for DENV-II through epidemiological investigation and specimen examination. This case is a neighbor of the primary case, and an additional case of the same family and community cluster, which has accumulated 8 cases to date. Through comparison of the virus genomic sequencing, it was found that the virus strain in the specimens from the first 4 cases was the same as the imported case from Vietnam this year. It is therefore believed that this epidemic might be caused by an infected individual entering the country without seeing a doctor and reporting a case. Cluster infections were thus resulted because of high density of vector mosquitoes in the community. The epidemic control taskforce has continued the intensified blanket clearance of breeding grounds and clutter clean-up of the environment, in order to slow down spreading of the disease.
For the indigenous dengue cluster that emerged in the old settlement in Gushan District, the city government’s epidemic control taskforce has identified 423 water-holding containers in the community since August 24 to date; 123 of them have already bred massive vector larvae, and 47 Aedes mosquitoes have been captured. Positive container index (PCI) has come to nearly 30%, including positive containers such as buckets, jars, urns, basins, mugs, bottles, bowls, cans, canvases, vases, tires, outdoor sundries, construction site manholes, and the ground, as well as dirty environment. Epidemic control personnel have removed waterlogging and reported violations in accordance with the Communicable Disease Control Act, with more than 50 penalty tickets being issued, which may lead to a maximum penalty of NT$15,000.
DOH revealed that the cluster has accumulated 8 cases to date. Except the primary case, the remaining 7 cases were all found through spontaneous extended specimen sampling and examination. Comparison of the genomic sequencing showed that the disease might have been originated from an imported case who had not consulted a doctor. It means there is still a potentially high risk of epidemic in the community. In addition, the afternoon downpour recently has increased the positive container index in the epidemic area, and thus raising the risk of infections due to increased breeding grounds of vector mosquitoes.
DOH reminded citizens to keep heightened alert. In case of suspected dengue symptoms such as fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pain, joint pain, bone pain, rashes, etc., please consult a doctor at one of the 558 contracted integrated dengue medical care institutions (https://gov.tw/1g1) as soon as possible, and take the initiative to inform the doctor of your activity and travel history. Medical care institutions are also required to stay alert and practice TOCC when attending to patients, make good use of the NS1 dengue rapid test kits to assist diagnosis, and report suspected cases as early as possible, so that the health care authority may take early preventive actions.
DOH also calls for the public’s attention to the recently high temperature and frequent rain, which are favorable climate condition for the breeding of vector mosquitoes that increase the risk of disease spreading in the community. People are advised to inspect their residences both indoors and outdoors after rain, and take the initiative to remove water-holding containers. Put the principles of “inspection, removal, cleaning, scrubbing” into practice within 48 hours after rain to reduce breeding grounds and spreading of the disease.