[Life] High Temperatures, Heavy Rain, and Imported Cases Increase Dengue Fever Risk in Taiwan

An outbreak of dengue fever family cluster occurred in Gangshan District, Kaohsiung. Lin Ming-cheng, spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stated today (28th) that recent high temperatures, heavy rainfall, the approaching end of summer vacation, Taiwanese citizens returning from travel, and students from Southeast Asia coming to Taiwan to study have increased the risk of imported cases, thus elevating the risk of domestic dengue fever outbreaks. He urged the public to diligently eliminate breeding grounds to reduce the density of vector mosquitoes. #Reported by Radio Taiwan International (RTI) reporter Liu Pin-hsi# The CDC announced on the 27th an outbreak of a dengue fever family cluster in Gangshan District, Kaohsiung. Three out of six family members were confirmed infected and are currently hospitalized. These three individuals had no history of overseas travel, and their main activities were near their residence. Health authorities have conducted expanded testing in the community to identify hidden cases and implement control measures. This is the second dengue fever cluster case this year; the first was a local cluster infection of "1 transmitted to 6" originating from an imported case at Kaohsiung Min Sheng Hospital in June. Lin Ming-cheng, spokesperson for the CDC, told Radio Taiwan International (RTI) on the 28th that if the Kaohsiung City Department of Health's expanded community testing does not reveal new cases, or if new cases are all located near the residences of the cluster cases, it indicates that the outbreak is controllable. If new cases spread further, the risk is higher. Initial observations show no new cases, which is a positive sign. According to CDC statistics, there have been a cumulative total of 145 dengue fever cases nationwide this year, including 10 local cases, all residing in Kaohsiung City. The remaining 135 cases are imported, primarily from Southeast and South Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Maldives. The cumulative number of cases is lower than the same period in 2025. Lin Ming-cheng pointed out that due to high temperatures and heavy rainfall, the risk of dengue fever in Taiwan remains high. Furthermore, with the summer vacation nearing its end, many Taiwanese citizens returning from overseas travel and students from Southeast Asia coming to Taiwan to study could potentially introduce the virus, increasing the overall epidemic risk. He said: "(Original sound) So as long as there is rain followed by high temperatures, these two factors exist, and the environmental risk is present. Another factor is the timing, as summer vacation is ending soon, and many Taiwanese citizens or students from Southeast Asia will be coming. In this case, they might bring the virus. If the virus is brought in, and we have vector mosquitoes here, there could be an epidemic risk." Lin Ming-cheng emphasized that the most fundamental way to prevent dengue fever is to eliminate breeding grounds and reduce the density of vector mosquitoes. In addition, with recent heavy rainfall in many parts of Taiwan, the public must also be vigilant against leptospirosis and melioidosis. Lin Ming-cheng stated that the pathogen for melioidosis is typically found in riverbeds or ditch sludge. Rain and wind can expose pathogens in soil and muddy water to the ground. Besides transmission through contact, dust can cause inhalation infections after floodwaters recede. Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease, is also transmitted through sewage and sludge. Wounds on the hands, feet, or other skin areas can easily become entry points into the body. Lin Ming-cheng reminded the public to wear gloves, rain boots, and masks when cleaning their homes after rain. He also recommended disinfecting home environments with diluted bleach to reduce the risk of infection. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)