Background: The number of dengue cases in southern Taiwan was more than those in northern Taiwan in recent two decades. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the similarities and differences in epidemiological characteristics of indigenous dengue cases between southern Taiwan and dengue-endemic countries in S.E. Asia, (2) to analyze temporal and spatial relationships between imported and indigenous dengue cases in southern Taiwan, and (3) to investigate the risk factors associated with higher temporal and larger spatial clusters of indigenous dengue cases in two major cities in southern Taiwan for providing solid recommendations in prevention and control measures. Methods and materials: The study applied all the laboratory-confirmed dengue cases from the infectious disease data established by Taiwan Center for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) in recent two decades. Moreover, we analyzed demographic variables, geographic information, and dengue virus (DENV) serotypes of indigenous dengue cases and imported dengue cases with SAS9.4 and QGIS to understand the trend of dengue epidemic in southern Taiwan. Results: The similarity in epidemiological characteristics of indigenous dengue cases between southern Taiwan and dengue-endemic countries in S.E. Asia is their transmission vector—Aedes aegypti. Furthermore, dengue cases often occurred in summer and fall (91%) in 1998–2019 in southern Taiwan. However, dengue cases occurred all year round in S.E. Asia Spatial analyses found overlaps and closeness between imported and indigenous dengue cases in southern Taiwan. In addition, the population density had is positive correlation with the incidence rate of indigenous dengue cases (Pearson's coefficient R2 = 0.63, p < 0.0001) in 1998–2019 in southern Taiwan. onclusion: Imported dengue cases in Taiwan came mostly from S.E. Asia plus seasonality indicates active surveillance must start after Chinese lunar new year. Furthermore, domestic public health effort has to focus on areas with high population densities and greater mosquito indices of Aedes aegypti.
Date:
2020-12
Relation:
International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2020 Dec;101(Suppl. 1):490-491.
