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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
Severe Dengue Fever Outbreak in Taiwan
Sheng-Fan Wang1, Wen-Hung Wang2, Ko Chang2
1Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Infection Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical, University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Dengue Fever Control and Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan wasf1234@kmu.edu.tw arthur@kmu.edu.tw.
Taiwan
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Vector-borne diseases
- Public health
Background:
- Dengue fever (DF) is a significant vector-borne disease caused by dengue viruses (DENVs).
- Taiwan experiences intermittent dengue outbreaks, with 2014 marking its largest epidemic.
- Southern Taiwan, particularly Kaohsiung, is a hotspot for DF cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) epidemics in Taiwan from 2005-2014.
- To examine the correlation between DF/DHF, temperature, and precipitation.
- To identify factors contributing to the 2014 Kaohsiung DF outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of DF and DHF case data from 2005-2014.
- Correlation analysis of epidemiological data with meteorological factors (temperature, precipitation).
- Investigated environmental factors linked to the 2014 Kaohsiung outbreak.
Main Results:
- The 2014 outbreak in Taiwan reported 15,732 DF cases and 136 DHF cases (20 deaths).
- Kaohsiung accounted for 96% of the 2014 DF cases.
- Imported cases are identified as the primary driver of dengue epidemics in Taiwan.
Conclusions:
- The 2014 Kaohsiung outbreak may be linked to an underground pipeline explosion, rainfall, and high temperatures.
- These factors likely increased mosquito breeding and DENV transmission.
- Imported DF cases are the main source of dengue epidemics in Taiwan.
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