Kaohsiung Fights Dengue Fever at the Source: Returning Travelers from Southeast Asia Receive NT$500 Voucher for Rapid Testing

(CNA reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, July 13) With the peak summer travel season approaching and increasing numbers of people traveling to Southeast Asian countries, the risk of imported dengue fever cases is rising. Today, Kaohsiung City Government announced a special incentive program, urging the public to conduct health monitoring after returning home and to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear. Those who undergo rapid screening will receive a NT$500 voucher.

The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau held a press conference today titled 'Prevent Dengue Fever During Summer Travel! Kaohsiung's Overseas Defense Incentive Program,' calling on the public to take mosquito protection measures while traveling abroad and to conduct health monitoring upon return, seeking medical care immediately if symptoms develop.

Wang Hung-jung, Deputy Secretary-General of the Kaohsiung City Government, stated in his speech that summer vacation is a high-risk period for imported dengue fever cases. He expressed hope that the summer incentive program would encourage teachers, students, new residents, and migrant workers to prepare for mosquito protection before traveling and to diligently monitor their health upon return.

The Health Bureau stated that to prevent community outbreaks, individuals returning from Southeast Asian countries—Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Cambodia—can visit clinics for rapid screening if they develop symptoms within 14 days of return. Asymptomatic individuals are also encouraged to practice self-health management and proactively visit their local health centers for testing. Those who meet the triage testing criteria and complete the process will receive a tangible NT$500 voucher reward.

Additionally, this program allows students and staff from all levels of schools below university, new residents and their families, and foreign migrant workers to receive one free bottle of mosquito repellent at any Kaohsiung City district health center before traveling overseas for vacation or visiting family during summer break. The public is urged to practice personal mosquito protection during travel, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and pants, and avoid areas with high mosquito density.

The Health Bureau urges the public that if they experience symptoms such as fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, muscle and joint aches, or rash after returning home—resembling dengue fever—they should seek medical attention immediately and proactively inform their physician of their travel history, occupation, contact history, and cluster exposure (TOCC). (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150713