1 new case of local dengue fever reported in Changhua, CDC determined it to be a community cluster

Lin Mingcheng, deputy director of the CDC. (File photo)

[Reporter Lin Zhiyi/Report from Taipei] The Department of Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health and Welfare today announced a new case of local dengue fever in Changhua County. He is a man in his 60s from Changhua City. He developed symptoms in late September. After seeking medical treatment, he was diagnosed with dengue fever. The first cases in Changhua County this year live about 110 meters apart. It is initially determined to be a community cluster event. It is the first local dengue fever cluster in Changhua County since 2023. Further sequencing will be done to clarify the connection between the two cases.

Lin Mingcheng, deputy director of the Department of Disease Control and Prevention, said that the male case newly added today has developed symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and general weakness since late September. He sought medical treatment and returned home. Later, he went to the hospital again because the symptoms did not improve. After being notified and submitted for testing, he was diagnosed with dengue fever and dengue virus type 1 was detected. The case is currently hospitalized, and none of the close contacts currently have suspected symptoms.

Lin Mingcheng said that during the incubation period, the main activity location of the case was his residence in Changhua County and his workplace in other counties and cities. He had no history of foreign travel. After investigation, the case’s residence was about 110 meters away from the residence of the first local type 1 dengue fever case in Changhua County announced by the CDC on September 18. It was initially determined to be a community gathering event, the first local dengue fever cluster in Changhua County since 2023. Further sequencing will be conducted to clarify the connection between the two cases.

As local dengue fever cases have previously appeared in Changhua County, the CDC established a mobile epidemic prevention team on September 17 to support various prevention and control efforts in Changhua County. By September 29, 34 people had been on duty to conduct dengue fever vector mosquito breeding source inspections, supervise chemical control, effectiveness evaluation and risk point review. A total of 544 water-stagnant containers and 70 positive containers were seized, and 21 inspection and inspection records were issued.

Lin Mingcheng pointed out that for this cluster of cases, the health unit has carried out prevention and control work such as density surveys of vector mosquitoes and removal of breeding sources in the environment around the case's residence and activity area, and has planned to set up community screening stations to expand testing to identify potential infections. He called on nearby residents to self-monitor their health. If they have suspected dengue fever symptoms, they can go to the community screening stations for testing and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.