Public Must Be Aware of Dengue Fever After Typhoon: CDC|瑪莉亞走得快 颱風後要防範登革熱

A new case of Dengue fever infection has been confirmed. The new patient is a middle school student in New Taipei City and the patient has been quarantined.


A new case of Dengue fever infection has emerged in northern Taiwan. A junior high school student in New Taipei City's Xinzhuang District showed symptoms including fever, vomiting and intense muscle pain. Two days after a hospital visit, the patient had to see doctors for a second time due to diarrhea. The patient's blood sample showed a low concentration of white blood cells. The patient's recent visit to southern and eastern Taiwan led doctors to determine that the patient was infected with type 2 Dengue virus. The patient is currently quarantined in the hospital. This is the second case of domestic infection of Dengue virus this year.

When the patient visited the second hospital, they found that he had an abnormally low level of white blood cells. Coupled with the fact that that he had recently traveled to southern and eastern regions in Taiwan, the doctors suspect he might be affected with Dengue virus. And it was later on confirmed.

The Centers for Disease Control said that the student has never traveled abroad, and that no one who traveled with him has shown any signs of Dengue virus infection. Based on the survey conducted during the 2015 Dengue outbreak in southern Taiwan, 1/3 of local residents who were infected with type 2 Dengue virus showed symptoms of diarrhea, which could be easily mistaken for stomach flu.

Many types of repertory infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and flu lead to diarrhea. The infection of Dengue virus, depending on the region,also include rash and intense muscle pain.

The Centers for Disease Control said that due to the continuous heavy rain in central and northern Taiwan, the abundance of water in containers could become hotbeds for mosquito larva. The CDC has advised the public to clean the containers to prevent larva from breeding. The CDC also said that if the public experience fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, or rashes, they should go see doctors as soon as possible and inform the doctors of their recent travel history.