Kaohsiung confirms first local dengue fever case of the year; Qianzhen and Lingya districts on alert

Central News Agency (Kaohsiung, May 23) - The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau announced today the first local dengue fever case in the country this year, involving a 66-year-old Taiwanese man in Qianzhen District. The Health Bureau has designated Qianzhen and Lingya districts as alert zones. The alert area covers neighborhoods including Zhongxiao, Fuguo, Xingzhong, Xingdong, Zhuxi, and Zhuzhong in Qianzhen District, and Linxing, Linhua, and Guanghua in Lingya District. According to the bureau, the patient works as an auto mechanic at his home in Qianzhen. He sought medical attention today due to a high fever of 38.7°C, headache, and muscle pain. Blood tests confirmed a positive NS1 rapid test and PCR test for Dengue Type 1. The bureau stated that two close contacts of the patient showed no symptoms and tested negative on the NS1 rapid test. To prevent community spread, the city immediately activated an inter-departmental emergency epidemic prevention mechanism, launching source removal and chemical control operations around the patient's residence and workplace. The Kaohsiung city team convened a forward command meeting today, directing departments including the Qianzhen District Command Center, Education Bureau, Public Works Bureau, and Economic Development Bureau to conduct strict inspections of high-risk areas within a 400-meter radius of the case. Additionally, Kaohsiung reported two new imported dengue fever cases today, bringing the city's total to six. The two new cases are students at a university of technology, residing in Qianzhen and Sanmin districts, who traveled to Malaysia from May 11 to 22. Upon returning, they sought medical help for chills and fever and were diagnosed with Dengue Type 3. The Health Bureau warns that recent weather conditions are highly favorable for mosquito breeding, and public cooperation is essential. Recent monitoring shows a positive container rate of 10.9% and a 7% positive rate for mosquito traps, indicating continued community risk.