On June 21, 2016, the third Executive Yuan’s Major Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Joint Meeting was held at the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) and the meeting was presided over by the Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Lin Tzou-yien (林奏延) and the Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Lee Ying-yuan (李應元). The meeting participants included representatives from relevant central government agencies, Tainan City Government, Kaohsiung City Government and Pingtung County Government. Besides discussing and formulating vector-borne infectious disease response measures, the meeting also aimed to strengthen communication and collaboration between the central and local governments in preparation for this year’s dengue fever season.

Thus far this year, a cumulative total of 372 indigenous dengue cases have been confirmed in Taiwan. The majority of the cases are from the outbreaks that began last year. During this March and April, only 1 sporadic case was respectively reported in Tainan City and Kaohsiung City. Under the relentless efforts by the central and local governments, there is no ongoing local dengue fever outbreak. Nevertheless, this year’s dengue fever season has begun. In addition, ongoing Zika outbreaks around the world continue to persist and three imported Zika cases have been reported in Taiwan. Further, four countries in Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Maldives, have reported local transmission of Zika virus. Hence, Taiwan CDC urges the public to remain vigilant for vector-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus disease.

As thoroughly eliminating vector breeding sources remains the most effective way to prevent vector-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever, the public is urged to reinforce the removing of vector-breeding sites in and around their residences to ward off the infection. At the same time, relevant central government agencies are urged to reinforce the management and patrolling of houses and buildings managed by governments, vacant lands and vacant buildings to eliminate any possible vector breeding sites. On the other hand, competent authorities are urged to promote the elimination of vector breeding sites in the community and exercise their authority to penalize anyone who fails to voluntarily clean up vector breeding sites The public is advised to take precautions against mosquito bites when visiting areas affected by vector-borne diseases. If suspected symptoms develop, please seek immediate medical attention to ensure your own health and the health of others. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).