To effectively control the ongoing dengue epidemic, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has adopted an action plan aimed to reduce the number of water-storage containers in the community.Since reducing the number of unwanted water-storage containers in the community can be more effective in controlling the epidemic than weekly cleaning of water-storage containers.

Beginning October 27, 2010, CECC has implemented the action plan aimed to reduce the number of water-storage containers in the community in southern Taiwan.The purpose of the action plan is to reduce the number of vector breeding sites around residences in the community, thus controlling the dengue epidemic.The plan involves various local government agencies, including the administrative agency, the education agency, the environmental protection agency and the health unit, to implement the reduction of water-storage containers in the community.To reinforce public knowledge about dengue prevention, the plan provides rewards and resources that encourage middle and elementary schools to promote the importance of vector source reduction among students and their immediate family.With parental consent, school teachers will teach students to identify water-storage containers on campus as a way to strengthen the students’ knowledge regarding the importance of vector source reduction.More specifically, the plan is designed to have the students remind the parents and adults in the family to maintain environmental hygiene instead of putting the students in charge of cleaning up vector breeding sites.CECC will provide each participating school NT$20,000 for purchasing insect repellent for use by school teachers and students participating in the plan.In addition, for schools with outstanding turnout for the plan, CECC will present an award to participating personnel.Nevertheless, school and student participation in the action plan is encouraged, but not compulsory.

Between August and November 4, 2010, a total of 975 indigenous cases have been confirmed in Taiwan, including 562 cases in Kaohsiung City, 280 cases in Tainan City, 86 cases in Tainan County, 27 cases in Kaohsiung County, 4 cases in Pingtung County, 2 cases in Taipei City, 12 cases in Taipei County, 1 case in Taoyuan County, and 1 case in Hsinchu County.This year, a cumulative total of 13 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported, including 2 deaths.As we have entered the peak of dengue season, CECC urges the public, school teachers and students to voluntarily clean up vector breeding sites and reduce the number of containers in order to help bring the epidemic under control as soon as possible.

For any questions or further information on dengue fever, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the CECC’s website: http://Dengue.nat.gov.tw.