Taipei, May 6 (CNA) The first case of locally acquired dengue fever has been confirmed in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.

A woman living in Tainan was diagnosed with type 1 dengue fever disease and is currently resting at home, said Chou Jih-haw, deputy director-general of the Centers for Disease Control under the DOH.

The woman developed a high fever and sore muscles on May 2, with her fever lasting for several days, despite treatment.

Since then, Tainan City's Department of Health has completed inspections and sanitation treatments in the area surrounding the woman's home.

None of the woman's family members developed dengue fever symptoms, according to department officials.

The high season for dengue fever usually starts between June to August every year, Chou said, noting that the earlier arrival of the first dengue fever case this year might be the result of higher than normal levels of rain and warmer temperatures this year.

The start of the plum rain season, and the increasing number of immigrants to the country, both resulted in difficulties to the department's efforts in monitoring and controlling the fever, he said.

(By Chen Ching-fang and Ann Chen)
ENDITEM/rb