The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced the first indigenous case of dengue fever in Tainan City this summer (2014). The patient is a 55-year-old male living in the city’s Yongkang District with no recent overseas travel history; however, he did travel to the Tianliao District of Kaohsiung City for work (currently there are no confirmed cases of dengue fever in this area). Soon after July 19, symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, poor appetite, lethargy, rashes, itchiness, etc. emerged. He consulted a doctor and the case was confirmed through lab tests. The patient is now under treatment in a hospital while cohabiting family members show no suspected symptoms. 
 
Tainan City experienced its first indigenous dengue fever case on October 22 during last year’s (2013) epidemic season. The epidemic continued until February 6 of this year, and only 32 indigenous cases were recorded. The local government has carried out prevention and containment work, such as a disease investigation in the patient’s living environment, a survey of the density of pathogenic mosquitoes, and the removal of breeding sources. Also, efforts have been stepped up to mobilize local residents in order to eliminate breeding sources. 
 
By July 25, a total of 378 cases of dengue fever were recorded this year, including 102 imported cases and 276 indigenous cases. Among these, 262 indigenous cases occurred after the start of summer, including 1 case in Chiayi City, 1 in Tainan City, 257 in Kaohsiung City, 2 in Pingtung County, and 1 in Penghu County. The 102 imported cases include 43 cases from Indonesia, 32 from Malaysia, 11 from the Philippines, 5 from Singapore, 4 from Thailand, 2 from Nauru, and 1 each from Cambodia, French Polynesia, Saudi Arabia, Tuwaru, and mainland China. 
 
The CDC has stated that it is currently the peak epidemic period for dengue fever and has urged citizens to take the initiative by checking around their homes to make sure breeding sources are wiped out in order to reduce the density of pathogenic mosquitoes in the community. In cases where suspected symptoms are apparent – e.g., fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, muscle pain, joint pain, rash, etc. – consult a doctor immediately and inform him or her of your travel history and activities in order to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and reporting. Clinical doctors are also reminded to stay alert and report suspected cases promptly. For relevant information, please visit the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov.tw), or call the domestic toll-free prevention hotline at 1922 (or 0800-001922).