During summertime's popular travel season, in light of rising dengue epidemics in neighboring Southeastern Asian countries and Kaohsiung's past history of dengue epidemics, it's natural to ask "I have a fever, could it be dengue?" Kaohsiung's Department of Health (DOH) analyzed 2017's 323 reported probable dengue cases, of which 25 (7.8% of all cases) had fever, coughs, throat pain, running nose and related upper respiratory system symptoms, 2 cases (8%) were classified as highly probable according to the test results from CDC, and 1 case (4%) was confirmed to be dengue. In the early stage of infection, dengue share common symptoms, such as fever and headache, with influenza, and cough, running nose, throat pain, fatigue and muscle soreness with typical influenza, but dengue patients could have eye socket strain, backache, bone and joint pain and perhaps diarrhea. In the recovery stage, there may be sporadic rash or petechiae throughout the body and on the face.
DOH urges residents to take steps against mosquito bites while traveling in dengue epidemic areas. You should actively report your history to the CDC desk in airport or port of entry and seek consultation from disease control personnel if you have symptoms like fever, cough, diarrhea, or rash during or after the trip. You should see a doctor and report your travel history to accelerate diagnosis and treatment if you become ill within 21 days of your trip. New immigrants, students, and workers returning from dengue and zika epidemic areas will get a $250 NTD coupon if they go to a pubic health center for blood testing within 5 days of their arrival. From July to September, there will be prize draws with more than $10,000 NTD worth of gift certificates and a luxury luggage case will also be drawn each month.