TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces an elevated risk of dengue fever outbreaks as imported cases reach concerning levels, health officials warned Tuesday (June 3). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾病管制署), Taiwan's national public health agency, reported 69 imported dengue cases so far this year — the second-highest tally for this period in six years. Kuo Hung-wei (郭宏偉), director of the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center, revealed that Southeast Asian nations account for an overwhelming 91.3% of these cases, with Indonesia (33 cases) leading the count, followed by the Philippines (10), Vietnam (8), and the Maldives (6).
The island has yet to record any locally transmitted infections in 2025, but CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) cautioned that this could change rapidly. Lo pointed to a concerning pattern from recent years, noting that both 2024 and 2023 saw their first domestic dengue cases emerge during the first week of June — precisely the current period. Health authorities are particularly vigilant as the rising number of infected travelers entering Taiwan substantially increases the likelihood of the mosquito-borne disease establishing local transmission chains.
Environmental conditions are currently optimal for mosquito proliferation, Lo explained, as Taiwan enters its annual rainy season. The combination of frequent precipitation creating numerous water collection points and consistently high temperatures has established perfect breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors for dengue transmission. The CDC official emphasized the critical importance of community action, urging households and businesses across Taiwan to conduct thorough inspections of their properties and eliminate any containers that could collect standing water, from flowerpots and buckets to discarded tires and clogged rain gutters.
Taiwan's situation mirrors a troubling global trend, as worldwide dengue infections reached unprecedented levels last year with over 14 million cases recorded — the highest annual total ever documented. The global situation continues to deteriorate in 2025, with more than 2.53 million infections already reported. The Western Hemisphere faces particularly severe outbreaks, with Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru experiencing the most significant dengue burden in the Americas. Meanwhile, several Asian nations including Sri Lanka, Laos, and Vietnam—countries geographically closer to Taiwan — have reported substantial increases in infection rates in recent months.
Health officials have issued comprehensive guidance for both travelers and medical providers to manage the growing threat. The CDC strongly advises anyone returning from international travel to immediately report fever, headache, eye pain, or rash — classic dengue symptoms — to healthcare providers, while urging medical facilities to utilize rapid diagnostic tests for prompt identification of cases. For personal protection, particularly during outdoor activities, authorities recommend wearing light-colored, long-sleeved clothing to minimize exposed skin and applying EPA-registered mosquito repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR-3535, which have proven effectiveness against dengue-carrying mosquitoes. ◼