Kaohsiung Finds Dengue Fever Case is Imported, Not Indigenous|越南移工染登革冒名就醫 仲介重罰24萬元

Kaohsiung previously announced the second case of indigenous dengue fever infection. Now further investigation has revealed that the infected patient was in fact a Vietnamese migrant worker, who used someone else's identity to get treatment, and only arrived in Taiwan last month. Authorities hence changed the classification of this case to imported infection.


Kaohsiung recently announced the second case of indigenous dengue fever infection this year, which occurred in Daliao District. The patient was a Vietnamese migrant worker. The city's Department of Health launched an investigation after discovering discrepancies with the information provided by the patient. It found the patient did not resemble the photograph on the national health insurance card that was used, meaning the patient had used someone else's identity to get medical treatment. The department has fined the broker and interpreter who accompanied the patient in receiving medical treatment NT$240,000 each, while the patient was fined NT$60,000.

(This Vietnamese migrant worker) presented a national health insurance card and ID card when he came to Taiwan to get medical treatment. They belonged to a worker working legally in Taiwan. We have already confirmed this Vietnamese worker falsely used someone else's identity.

As this case could involve illegal work, illegal broker behavior and other crimes, the department has transferred it to investigatory authorities. In related news, Taipei reported its first indigenous dengue fever case of this year. The case occurred in Wenshan District, and the patient is female. She developed a fever and experienced diarrhea on July 29. She sought medical treatment on July 30 and tested positive in a rapid screening test. The finding was reported on July 31, and the diagnosis confirmed on Aug. 1. This is the first dengue fever case in Taipei in nearly two years. The patient primarily moved around her residence in Wenshan District but had also gone to the Xiangshan Hiking Trail in Xinyi District, Taipei Zoo and a friend's house in New Taipei City's Xinzhuang District.

We inspected the area around her house yesterday, and found 200 standing water receptacles, so this area is currently considered a dengue fever risk zone. Our investigation showed this was a dengue-3 virus and not related to the (dengue-2 virus) cluster in Xinzhuang District's Qionglin Borough. This was an isolated case.

The Centers for Disease Control says this case is not related to the dengue fever cluster in New Taipei City's Xinzhuang District. The source of the infection is still unknown.