As the dengue season has approached, cases have continued to occur in southern Taiwan. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has mobilized its staff members to support the inspection activities on the management and patrolling of houses, building and lands managed by central government agencies to eliminate possible vector breeding sources and set an example for the public to follow suit.

Earlier this year, on April 24, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a “Dengue Epidemic Coordination and Management Meeting”, which instructed relevant central government agencies to reinforce the management and patrolling of houses, buildings and lands managed by to eliminate possible vector breeding site even when there is not outbreak. Since April 8, as of July 20, Taiwan CDC has identified 51 positive vector breeding sites at houses, buildings and lands managed by central government agencies. Beginning July 20, Taiwan CDC has dispatched staff members to southern Taiwan to support the inspection activities on the management and patrolling of houses, building and lands managed by central government agencies that are at increased risk for dengue transmission. The activities are planned to last for at least 3 weeks and over 200 sites will be inspected. The inspection results will be forwarded to relevant agencies for improvement and management.

During July 14 and 20, 2015, a total of 44 new dengue cases, including 38 indigenous dengue cases and 6 imported dengue cases from Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, were confirmed in Taiwan. Among the indigenous cases, 32 were confirmed in Tainan City, 4 were confirmed in Kaohsiung City, 1 was confirmed in Chiayi County and 1 was confirmed in Taichung City. Thus far this year, a cumulative total of 233 indigenous dengue cases have been confirmed in Taiwan and 131 cases have been confirmed since May.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out, before a safe and effective dengue vaccine is available, controlling the mosquito vectors or eliminating vector breeding sites is the most effective way to prevent dengue virus transmission. Due to intermittent rain that occurred recently in southern Taiwan, the risk of dengue outbreak transmission is thus elevated. The public is urged to reinforce the removal of water-filled containers and ensure the cleanliness of the environment as well as recycle all unwanted containers and take personal precautions against mosquito bites in order to prevent the infection of dengue fever. If symptoms such as fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of any relevant medical history, recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. Physicians and healthcare facilities are advised to be vigilant for suspected cases and notify any suspected cases to the health authority immediately to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures that prevent further transmission of the disease. 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).