TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan health authorities confirmed four new local dengue fever cases Tuesday (Sept. 30), including a community cluster in Taoyuan City that signals escalating transmission risks. Officials identified three connected cases in Taoyuan City and one in Yilan County, bringing Taiwan's 2025 local dengue total to 17 cases. The cluster infection pattern marks a concerning development in Taiwan's dengue surveillance efforts this year.
The Taoyuan City patients, aged 40 to over 50, developed symptoms between Friday and Saturday (Sept. 26-27) after exposure to a previously confirmed case reported Thursday (Sept. 25). Yilan County's case involved a resident who fell ill Tuesday (Sept. 17) and received diagnosis following hospitalization Thursday (Sept. 25). Health units conducted vector mosquito investigations and eliminated breeding sources around patients' homes and workplaces to prevent further transmission.
Taiwan confirmed 17 local dengue cases through Monday (Sept. 29), affecting Kaohsiung City, Taoyuan City, and Yilan County with no severe cases or deaths reported. Seven new imported cases emerged last week from Vietnam, Cambodia, the Maldives, Malaysia, and Indonesia, raising Taiwan's 2025 imported total to 181. The imported case count represents the second-highest level in six years, reflecting global dengue surge impact.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署), Taiwan's health ministry, warned of severe global dengue outbreak with over 4.26 million cases and 3,005 deaths worldwide. The Americas, particularly Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, report the highest case numbers while neighboring Bangladesh and China, the People's Republic of China, face rising infections. CDC officials advised implementing source reduction measures and using approved mosquito repellents to prevent local transmission. ◼