Taiwan’s Health Department is offering vouchers and even cash payouts as incentives for visitors/travelers to report symptoms and get tested.
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung health officials on Sept. 20 reported three new imported dengue fever cases, with no increase in local transmissions. All confirmed patients have been hospitalized, and city teams carried out emergency vector control at their residences, workplaces and activity sites.
The Kaohsiung Department of Health (高雄市衛生局) said that as of Sept. 19, Taiwan had recorded 171 imported cases nationwide, including 21 in Kaohsiung. Seven of those were confirmed this month, reflecting severe outbreaks across Southeast Asia.
The new cases included a Taiwanese man in his 50s who developed symptoms after traveling to Vietnam and tested PCR positive on Sept. 17, a Filipino male tourist in his 30s who tested positive on Sept. 19, as well as a Filipino woman in her 30s who also tested positive on Sept. 19.
Officials reiterated Taiwan’s “border defense” strategy against dengue and urged travelers returning from high-risk countries to seek medical care promptly if they develop symptoms within a week.
The Department of Health(衛生局) is offering incentives to encourage compliance. Passengers who declare dengue-like symptoms at the airport and complete rapid NS1 testing can receive NT$500 (US$15) in vouchers. Those with fever who test negative on NS1 but agree to stay at a designated hospital until PCR results are confirmed receive NT$1,000 (US$31) in vouchers, free hospitalization, and reimbursed taxi fare from the airport. Confirmed cases also qualify for a NT$2,500 (US$78) reporting bonus.
Officials stressed that travelers who cooperate with entry screening help prevent community outbreaks and reduce the need for emergency pesticide spraying, while protecting their families and neighbors.
