The Model and Effects of Interdepartmental Dengue Fever Prevention and Control, Taichung City, 2015

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20170523.33(10).001

Shi-Wei Lin, Chiung-Wen Hsu, Wen-Che Tsai, Wan-Jhen Lin, Shiow-Shiun Horng, Nan-Song Chen, Jong-Nian Xu, Tsung-Hsueh Lu

2017 Vol.33 NO.10

Correspondence Author: Shi-Wei Lin

  • Health Bureau of Taichung City Government

Abstract:

The number of confirmed dengue fever cases reached up to 43,784 cases (43,419 indigenous and 365 imported cases) in Taiwan in 2015, the most in recent 10 years. In the same year, Taichung City identified 125 confirmed dengue fever cases (76 indigenous and 49 imported cases), which showed the severity of local dengue fever in Taiwan. In the meantime, Zika virus infections prevailed in Central and South America. The first and the second Zika virus infected cases, imported from Thailand, were identified in Taichung City in January and May of 2016, respectively. To prevent and control these mosquito-borne diseases due to climate change and frequent human activities, Taichung City government initiated interdepartmental collaboration in September 2015. Each bureau of Taichung City government supervised the reduction and removal of mosquito breeding sites and raised public awareness in the field. Through these efforts, the dengue fever endemic in Taichung City was under control. Taichung City’s experiences in dengue fever control addressed in this article provide an example for other cities and counties.