Kaohsiung reports three imported dengue cases from Cambodia and Vietnam

Kaohsiung health officials reported three new imported dengue cases on Saturday: a 59-year-old man returning from Cambodia and two girls, aged 10 and 8, who had travelled to Vietnam to visit relatives.

The girls developed fever and rashes during their trip. After entering Taiwan through Kaohsiung airport, their parents took them directly to hospital, where both the dengue NS1 rapid test and PCR test came back positive.

The man lives in Sanmin District. He returned from Cambodia on Aug. 27 and developed fever and muscle aches on Aug. 31. He sought medical care on Sept. 3, tested positive on the NS1 rapid test and was admitted for isolation the same day. PCR testing confirmed dengue virus type 1.

Because the girls did not return home after entering Taiwan, they did not enter the community. Officials said they therefore had no community exposure risk and did not require community pesticide spraying. The health department launched epidemiological investigations and emergency prevention measures at their residence and activity locations.

Officials urged residents to prevent mosquito bites while abroad, monitor their health after returning, seek medical care promptly when symptoms appear and arrange testing even without symptoms. Following recent rain, residents were also asked to inspect tires, plant pots, drains, balconies and rooftops within 48 hours, remove standing water and clean containers to prevent mosquito breeding.