One Additional Dengue Cluster Case Confirmed at Min-Sheng Hospital; Kaohsiung City Convenes Expert Meeting to Control Risk

(CNA reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, June 14) Kaohsiung has reported one additional locally transmitted dengue fever case. The patient, previously quarantined and monitored after sharing a ward at Min-Sheng Hospital, tested positive. The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau announced today that the current cluster shows no signs of spreading beyond the hospital and has convened a consultation meeting with experts from medical centers to strictly control outbreak risks.

According to a press release from the Kaohsiung City Health Bureau, one new case of dengue virus serotype 2 was confirmed today in a 58-year-old male who was previously identified as a close contact within the same hospital ward at Min-Sheng Hospital. Through continuous epidemiological investigation, Min-Sheng Hospital has traced and tested 128 high-risk individuals, leading to this confirmed case.

The Health Bureau explained that the patient is a resident of a long-term care facility for the elderly with pre-existing conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and a history of stroke. He was admitted to the 6th-floor ward on May 29, occupying a room adjacent to the index case during overlapping hospitalization. On June 8, he was transferred to Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital for further treatment. As a first-tier high-risk contact, he underwent expanded testing and was confirmed positive.

As of yesterday, epidemiological investigations have identified 96 first-tier high-risk contacts linked to this cluster. Of these, 92 have completed testing, while four are pending due to the holiday period and no observed health abnormalities. One additional dengue-positive case has been detected, bringing the cluster’s total to six cases. No further community transmission has been observed.

To precisely and swiftly control outbreak risks and strengthen clinical management and patient care, the Health Bureau convened a special task force meeting today with experts from Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, E-Da Hospital, National Taiwan University, and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. The meeting included case discussions on disease progression and treatment protocols for confirmed patients.

The Health Bureau reiterated that there are currently no effective vaccines or specific antiviral drugs for dengue fever. Once the virus enters a community with suitable mosquito breeding environments nearby, the risk of an outbreak is extremely high. With continuous rainfall recently, the public is urged to strictly implement the 'inspect, empty, clean, and scrub' anti-mosquito measures after rain. (Editor: Lee Shu-hua) 1150614