The Impact of Public Places on the Initial Stage of Dengue Outbreak Study of the Dengue Fever Cluster in Ximending Flea Market, Tainan City, 2015

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20170523.33(10).002

Yu-Neng Chueh^＊, Chin-Hsien Wang, Cheng-Sheng Lin, Jen-Te Wang, Huai-Te Tsai, Yeuan-Perng Tsai, Jui-Wei Hsieh, Pi-Long Liu

2017 Vol.33 NO.10

Correspondence Author： Yu-Neng Chueh^＊

Abstract：

In 2015, Tainan city had faced the most severe indigenous dengue fever outbreak. Since the first case was confirmed on 21 May, 2015, the outbreak had lasted for 36 weeks and caused 22,765 infections. Tainan city government had experiences of dealing with dengue fever epidemics through the past 10 years, however, the outbreak in 2015 was difficult to manage. In retrospect, delay in identifying mosquito breeding sites in Ximending flea market to interrupt transmission routes in the initial stage of the epidemic was the major factor leading to the spread of the outbreak. The dengue cluster associated with Ximending flea market included 74 confirmed cases and lasted for 12 weeks. The residence of cases located over 15 villages and districts in 3 counties. With cooperation of city government and vendors, the outbreak had been under control after implementing breeding sites elimination, chemical control, environmental sanitation improvement and business suspension. This investigation describes the process of the cluster, control strategies and experiences learned. As a reference, these experiences may prevent future dengue fever outbreak facilitated by public place.