The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) announced today (the 26th) that as of May 25, 2026, there have been a cumulative 64 confirmed dengue cases, including 1 locally transmitted case and 63 imported cases, all from Southeast and South Asian countries, with Indonesia (19 cases) the highest, followed by the Maldives (14 cases) and Vietnam (8 cases). The number of cases is comparable to the same period last year (2025) (69 cases). The first locally transmitted dengue case has now been identified domestically, and the rainy season has begun, increasing rainfall probabilities across Taiwan, combined with hot temperatures that favor mosquito breeding, raising the risk of community infection and transmission. The public is urged to proactively eliminate standing water containers inside and outside homes to reduce mosquito breeding and dengue infection risk.
The global dengue epidemic continues. Up to 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 recording the highest numbers, and the situation in Guyana sharply increasing, exceeding previous years. In neighboring Asian countries, recent dengue activity has risen in Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and East Timor, and the case numbers in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Laos are already higher this year than the same period last year. With rising temperatures and the approaching rainy season, the epidemic is expected to keep escalating.
The CDC explains that dengue vectors prefer to reside in outdoor grass and shrubbery as well as dark indoor corners, and after feeding they seek water sources to lay eggs. To block mosquito larval breeding, the CDC urges the public to practice the “Inspect, Empty, Clean, Brush” approach: proactively inspect indoor and outdoor environments, remove discarded tires, metal/aluminum cans, tarps, PET bottles, plant saucers and other unused containers; for large discarded items such as bathtubs or aquariums, contact the sanitation crew for removal assistance; any remaining items should be scrubbed to eliminate eggs and stored properly or turned upside down. Water storage containers in use should be brushed inside at least once a week to remove eggs. Everyone is asked to eliminate breeding sources together to reduce dengue transmission risk.
The CDC reminds that when engaging in outdoor activities, it is recommended to wear light‑colored long‑sleeved clothing and use government‑approved insect repellents containing effective ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or IR‑3535. If fever, headache, retro‑orbital pain, muscle or joint pain or other suspected dengue symptoms appear, seek medical care promptly and inform the physician of your travel history. As the international dengue situation persists, travelers returning to the country who develop fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, rash or other suspected dengue symptoms should proactively inform airport quarantine personnel. Medical facilities are also urged to stay vigilant, consistently inquire about TOCC (Travel, Occupation, Contact, Cluster history), use dengue NS1 rapid test kits for timely diagnosis and report cases early to enable health authorities to implement control measures. For dengue‑related information, please visit the CDC’s global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) for reference, or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention line 1922 (0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Compiled by: Sensory Management Office
