Suspected Dengue Fever Cluster at Kaohsiung Minsheng Hospital: 5 Confirmed, Ward Capacity Reduced for Disinfection
A suspected nosocomial cluster of dengue fever has occurred at Kaohsiung Municipal Minsheng Hospital, with 5 inpatients confirmed positive. The health bureau has initiated ward capacity reduction, cleaning and disinfection, expanded testing of 131 people, and fined the hospital NT$15,000 for breeding vector mosquitoes in stagnant water on the premises.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 17:32
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 17:51 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 17:52 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 12th) Kaohsiung City reported 5 new confirmed cases of indigenous dengue fever today, all of whom are inpatients at Minsheng Hospital, suggesting a localized nosocomial cluster infection. The Health Bureau stated that Minsheng Hospital will immediately reduce ward capacity for cleaning and disinfection, and as of 11:00 AM today, expanded testing has been conducted on 131 people.
The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau issued a press release today stating that the index case is a 78-year-old female. She was hospitalized from May 29 to June 10 due to illness. On the 11th, she returned to Minsheng Hospital's emergency department with fever, dizziness, and nausea and was admitted. Blood tests confirmed dengue fever serotype 2 that same evening. The hospital immediately conducted expanded testing on the 6th-floor ward overnight, detecting 4 more confirmed dengue-positive cases in adjacent rooms.
The Health Bureau indicated that an outbreak has occurred in a localized area within the hospital. Effective immediately, ward capacity will be reduced, rooms will be vacated for spraying, and emergency prevention measures will be implemented. As the source of these 5 confirmed cases is unclear, the Health Bureau has initiated emergency epidemic prevention, delineated the risk area, and expanded testing retroactively to May 27 to clarify the infection source and outbreak scope.
As of 11:00 AM today, the Health Bureau has expanded testing to 131 people. Currently, in 3 rooms on the 6th floor where the index case was located, a total of 5 positive cases have been identified, all of whom are inpatients. Among them, 3 are elderly individuals aged 79 to 91, who are currently receiving treatment and care at the hospital.
The Health Bureau analysis indicates that Minsheng Hospital is a designated infectious disease response hospital in Kaohsiung City, responsible for dengue fever screening of new migrant workers and admitting suspected cases. Additionally, recent consecutive days of rainfall have led to stagnant water in balcony drainage channels and ground depressions, where mosquito larvae were found, increasing the localized risk of dengue fever within the hospital.
The Kaohsiung City government has initiated three major epidemic prevention actions: risk management, source tracing, and ensuring patient safety. The Health Bureau emphasized that Minsheng Hospital will immediately reduce ward capacity, implementing a 'discharge only, no new admissions' policy. Inpatients in the high-risk ward have been moved to other floors for mosquito-proof isolation. Simultaneously, the hospital is conducting source elimination of mosquito larvae, chemical spraying for mosquito control, and distributing mosquito repellent, reminding staff, patients, and accompanying family members to implement mosquito prevention measures.
Furthermore, the Health Bureau has contacted recent discharged patients and their caregivers one by one to arrange testing, expanding the epidemiological investigation to trace the infection source and transmission range. Regarding the discovery of stagnant water breeding mosquito larvae in the hospital's balcony drainage channels and depressions, the Health Bureau has imposed a fine of NT$15,000 in accordance with regulations and demanded immediate rectification. (Editor: Huang Mingxi) 1150612
The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau issued a press release today stating that the index case is a 78-year-old female. She was hospitalized from May 29 to June 10 due to illness. On the 11th, she returned to Minsheng Hospital's emergency department with fever, dizziness, and nausea and was admitted. Blood tests confirmed dengue fever serotype 2 that same evening. The hospital immediately conducted expanded testing on the 6th-floor ward overnight, detecting 4 more confirmed dengue-positive cases in adjacent rooms.
The Health Bureau indicated that an outbreak has occurred in a localized area within the hospital. Effective immediately, ward capacity will be reduced, rooms will be vacated for spraying, and emergency prevention measures will be implemented. As the source of these 5 confirmed cases is unclear, the Health Bureau has initiated emergency epidemic prevention, delineated the risk area, and expanded testing retroactively to May 27 to clarify the infection source and outbreak scope.
As of 11:00 AM today, the Health Bureau has expanded testing to 131 people. Currently, in 3 rooms on the 6th floor where the index case was located, a total of 5 positive cases have been identified, all of whom are inpatients. Among them, 3 are elderly individuals aged 79 to 91, who are currently receiving treatment and care at the hospital.
The Health Bureau analysis indicates that Minsheng Hospital is a designated infectious disease response hospital in Kaohsiung City, responsible for dengue fever screening of new migrant workers and admitting suspected cases. Additionally, recent consecutive days of rainfall have led to stagnant water in balcony drainage channels and ground depressions, where mosquito larvae were found, increasing the localized risk of dengue fever within the hospital.
The Kaohsiung City government has initiated three major epidemic prevention actions: risk management, source tracing, and ensuring patient safety. The Health Bureau emphasized that Minsheng Hospital will immediately reduce ward capacity, implementing a 'discharge only, no new admissions' policy. Inpatients in the high-risk ward have been moved to other floors for mosquito-proof isolation. Simultaneously, the hospital is conducting source elimination of mosquito larvae, chemical spraying for mosquito control, and distributing mosquito repellent, reminding staff, patients, and accompanying family members to implement mosquito prevention measures.
Furthermore, the Health Bureau has contacted recent discharged patients and their caregivers one by one to arrange testing, expanding the epidemiological investigation to trace the infection source and transmission range. Regarding the discovery of stagnant water breeding mosquito larvae in the hospital's balcony drainage channels and depressions, the Health Bureau has imposed a fine of NT$15,000 in accordance with regulations and demanded immediate rectification. (Editor: Huang Mingxi) 1150612
FAQ
What caused the dengue fever cluster at Kaohsiung Minsheng Hospital?
The Health Bureau analyzed that stagnant rainwater in the hospital's drainage channels and ground depressions became breeding grounds for mosquito larvae, increasing infection risk.
What is the current status of Minsheng Hospital?
Ward capacity is reduced, new admissions are suspended. Patients in the high-risk ward have been moved to other floors under mosquito-proof isolation.
Was a fine issued for this incident?
Yes. The Health Bureau fined Minsheng Hospital NT$15,000 for confirmed mosquito larvae breeding sites on the premises.