The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) announced today (the 23rd) the country's first domestic dengue fever case of 2026. The patient is a man in his 60s residing in Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City. On May 23, he visited a clinic due to fever, headache, and muscle aches. He was initially suspected of dengue fever, and NS1 rapid test and PCR were positive, confirming infection with dengue virus serotype 1. Currently, the two close contacts of the case show no suspected symptoms, and their NS1 rapid test and PCR results are both negative.
The CDC stated that the case's activities were mainly at his residence and workplace in Qianzhen District, and there was no travel history abroad during the incubation period, indicating a domestic case. To actively identify hidden cases, health authorities have planned expanded testing in the community and are actively implementing related prevention and control measures. Emergency control work is being carried out around the confirmed case's residence and workplace, strengthening vector mosquito density surveys and source elimination, and providing health education to the case and contacts, urging the public to stay vigilant and enhance prevention.
The CDC's statistics show that, up to now this year, there have been a total of 64 confirmed dengue cases domestically, including one domestic case and 63 imported cases from Southeast and South Asian countries, with Indonesia accounting for the most (19 cases), followed by the Maldives (14 cases) and Vietnam (8 cases). The number of cases is comparable to the same period in 2025 (68 cases). The global dengue epidemic continues; as of April this year, more than 1.02 million cases and over 300 deaths have been reported worldwide, primarily in the Americas, with Brazil and Bolivia reporting the highest numbers, and Cuba and Guyana experiencing a sharp rise, higher than previous years. In neighboring Asian countries, Malaysia, Vietnam, and East Timor have seen recent increases, and Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Laos have already reported higher case numbers this year compared to the same period last year. With rising temperatures and the approaching rainy season, the epidemic is expected to continue rising.
The CDC reminds that the weather is becoming increasingly hot, and rainfall is occurring across the country. The public is urged to implement “inspect, dump, clean, brush”, strengthening indoor and outdoor environment management and source elimination to reduce vector mosquito density; when outdoors, wear light‑colored long‑sleeved clothing and use government‑approved mosquito repellents. If fever, headache, retro‑orbital pain, muscle or joint pain, rash, or other suspected dengue symptoms are observed, seek medical care promptly and inform about travel history. Medical facilities should also stay vigilant, thoroughly inquire about patients’ TOCC (Travel, Occupation, Contact, Cluster) history, and may use dengue NS1 rapid test kits to aid diagnosis and early reporting, facilitating health authorities’ prevention and control efforts. For dengue‑related information, visit the CDC’s global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) for reference, or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Surveillance Office
