On September 18, 2015, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak convened the second meeting hosted by the Commander, Vice Premier Chang San-cheng of the Executive Yuan. This meeting primarily discussed the coordination of environmental management for the control of dengue, improved and sustained vector control, dengue control and prevention and health care resources, and community-based health communication interventions. CECC for Dengue Outbreak planned to adopt a multi-faceted approach in order to effectively bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible.

This meeting also decided to mobilize the military to support local governments in upscaling the implementation of the nationwide clean-up campaign of vector breeding sites initiated by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). The Dengue Expert Advisory Committee would also be consulted to improve the efficiency of the existing environmental management actions for dengue control. At the meeting, Commander Chang instructed all government agencies to ensure all the units under them voluntarily and thoroughly clean and remove vector breeding sites all at the houses and buildings managed by the government in order to prevent dengue transmission. Also, Commander Chang requested the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and EPA to try to ensure the supply of dengue prevention and control and health care resources meet the demand at all times. Besides formulating feasible backup plans, MOHW and EPA were also asked to evaluate the actual need for tapping into the secondary reserve fund.

To stop vector mosquitoes from breeding, CECC for Dengue Outbreak also announced the formation of “Vector Control Advisory Panel” consisting of 150 Pest Control Operators (PCO’s) certified by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) who are either still on their jobs or retired. The Panel would start operating on September 19, 2015. 10 to 20 members would make up one unit and each unit would work for 1 to 2 weeks to coach district and village chiefs the proper ways to clean and remove vector breeding sites in Tainan City. Next, entomology teachers and students would be invited to assist households in cleaning vector breeding sites and implementing dengue prevention and control efforts. The National Cheng Kung University shared their successful experience with controlling and preventing dengue on campus during the meeting. Several experts agreed that cultivating awareness on dengue prevention should start young in order to ensure thorough compliance. As a result, the Ministry of Education (MOE) would continue to reinforce health education about dengue in schools.

The majority of this year’s dengue cases have been confirmed in Tainan City and Kaohsiung City. As travels between southern and northern Taiwan have been facilitated by the ease of transportation and increased due to school- and work-related activities, CECC for Dengue Outbreak urges everyone in the nation to clean and remove all vector breeding sites in and around their households and heighten vigilance for dengue fever and be sure to take precautions against mosquito bites when visiting dengue-affected areas. If suspected symptoms develop, please seek medical attention as soon as possible and inform the physician of any relevant medical history, recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.