Dengue Cluster at Kaohsiung Hospital: 5 Confirmed Cases, CDC Provides Epidemic Response Support
A dengue fever cluster has occurred at a hospital in Kaohsiung, with five inpatients confirmed infected. The Taiwan CDC has deployed a mobile epidemic prevention team to assist in containment efforts.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 18:10
- 🔍 Collected: June 13, 2026 at 00:44 (6h 34m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 13, 2026 at 09:55 (9h 10m after Collected)
Central News
(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, June 12) After an eight-year gap, a hospital-based dengue fever cluster has emerged. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today announced five new indigenous cases. The index case was hospitalized at a Kaohsiung hospital, where four additional positive cases were detected in adjacent wards. In response, the CDC has dispatched a mobile epidemic prevention team to support Kaohsiung.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced via press release the occurrence of a hospital-linked dengue fever cluster in Kaohsiung. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui explained that the index case was a woman in her 70s with a history of chronic illness, who was admitted to a Kaohsiung hospital on May 29 due to illness. She was discharged on June 10 but readmitted the next day due to discomfort and subsequently tested positive for dengue fever. No similar symptoms have been observed in her household members so far.
Following expanded epidemiological investigation and testing by health authorities, four additional dengue-positive cases were identified in adjacent wards during the index patient’s hospitalization, leading to the classification of this as a cluster. Tseng stated that health authorities have identified and quarantined individuals who had contact with the cases during their incubation and infectious periods, and are conducting expanded testing to detect potential infections.
This marks the first hospital-based dengue cluster since 2018. According to Tseng, this cluster involves five confirmed cases. Combined with a previously reported case, Kaohsiung has recorded six indigenous dengue cases this year. All five new cases were hospitalized patients, and the virus type was identified as dengue virus serotype 2 in all cases.
Regarding the source of infection, Tseng emphasized that dengue fever is not transmitted directly from person to person but requires transmission via mosquito vectors. As the hospital is located within a community, the infection source could be mosquitoes from the surrounding area entering the premises. A link to imported cases cannot be ruled out, and further investigation is ongoing.
Tseng noted that the CDC is currently conducting viral genetic sequencing analysis, comparing patient samples with imported cases from countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam. Results are expected to be released next Tuesday (June 16).
Recent heavy rains in Kaohsiung have created conditions conducive to water accumulation in containers. Tseng urged healthcare facilities and the public to strictly implement the “Inspect, Tip, Clean, Scrub” campaign—regularly inspecting for standing water, tipping out accumulated water, cleaning containers, and scrubbing to remove mosquito eggs—to promptly eliminate breeding sites and prevent mosquito proliferation. Individuals experiencing suspected dengue symptoms such as fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, muscle or joint pain, or rash should seek medical attention promptly and disclose their travel and activity history.
CDC surveillance data show that as of June 12, a total of 74 confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year. Among them, six are indigenous cases, all residing in Kaohsiung; the remaining 68 are imported cases, all originating from Southeast and South Asian countries. Indonesia accounts for the highest number (21 cases), followed by the Maldives (14 cases) and Vietnam (9 cases). The total number of cases this year is comparable to the same period last year (78 cases) but significantly lower than the same period in 2024 (271 cases).
The CDC warns that Taiwan has now entered the plum rain season, with rainfall occurring across the country. Post-rainwater accumulation in containers increases, creating favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. The public is urged to thoroughly clean indoor and outdoor environments, eliminate breeding sources, and conduct enhanced inspections after rainfall to reduce mosquito density. When engaging in outdoor activities, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and use government-approved insect repellents containing effective ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or IR-3535. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150612
(Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, June 12) After an eight-year gap, a hospital-based dengue fever cluster has emerged. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today announced five new indigenous cases. The index case was hospitalized at a Kaohsiung hospital, where four additional positive cases were detected in adjacent wards. In response, the CDC has dispatched a mobile epidemic prevention team to support Kaohsiung.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced via press release the occurrence of a hospital-linked dengue fever cluster in Kaohsiung. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui explained that the index case was a woman in her 70s with a history of chronic illness, who was admitted to a Kaohsiung hospital on May 29 due to illness. She was discharged on June 10 but readmitted the next day due to discomfort and subsequently tested positive for dengue fever. No similar symptoms have been observed in her household members so far.
Following expanded epidemiological investigation and testing by health authorities, four additional dengue-positive cases were identified in adjacent wards during the index patient’s hospitalization, leading to the classification of this as a cluster. Tseng stated that health authorities have identified and quarantined individuals who had contact with the cases during their incubation and infectious periods, and are conducting expanded testing to detect potential infections.
This marks the first hospital-based dengue cluster since 2018. According to Tseng, this cluster involves five confirmed cases. Combined with a previously reported case, Kaohsiung has recorded six indigenous dengue cases this year. All five new cases were hospitalized patients, and the virus type was identified as dengue virus serotype 2 in all cases.
Regarding the source of infection, Tseng emphasized that dengue fever is not transmitted directly from person to person but requires transmission via mosquito vectors. As the hospital is located within a community, the infection source could be mosquitoes from the surrounding area entering the premises. A link to imported cases cannot be ruled out, and further investigation is ongoing.
Tseng noted that the CDC is currently conducting viral genetic sequencing analysis, comparing patient samples with imported cases from countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam. Results are expected to be released next Tuesday (June 16).
Recent heavy rains in Kaohsiung have created conditions conducive to water accumulation in containers. Tseng urged healthcare facilities and the public to strictly implement the “Inspect, Tip, Clean, Scrub” campaign—regularly inspecting for standing water, tipping out accumulated water, cleaning containers, and scrubbing to remove mosquito eggs—to promptly eliminate breeding sites and prevent mosquito proliferation. Individuals experiencing suspected dengue symptoms such as fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, muscle or joint pain, or rash should seek medical attention promptly and disclose their travel and activity history.
CDC surveillance data show that as of June 12, a total of 74 confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year. Among them, six are indigenous cases, all residing in Kaohsiung; the remaining 68 are imported cases, all originating from Southeast and South Asian countries. Indonesia accounts for the highest number (21 cases), followed by the Maldives (14 cases) and Vietnam (9 cases). The total number of cases this year is comparable to the same period last year (78 cases) but significantly lower than the same period in 2024 (271 cases).
The CDC warns that Taiwan has now entered the plum rain season, with rainfall occurring across the country. Post-rainwater accumulation in containers increases, creating favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. The public is urged to thoroughly clean indoor and outdoor environments, eliminate breeding sources, and conduct enhanced inspections after rainfall to reduce mosquito density. When engaging in outdoor activities, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and use government-approved insect repellents containing effective ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or IR-3535. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150612
FAQ
What caused the dengue cluster in the Kaohsiung hospital?
Aedes mosquitoes likely bred in rainwater containers near the hospital and entered the facility.
How should hospitals strengthen dengue prevention?
Regular environmental inspections, mosquito screens, and staff training are essential.
What should the public watch out for?
Eliminate standing water within 72 hours after rain, wear protective clothing, and use repellent.