Environmental Management Administration

Dengue fever, a tropical infectious disease also known as "Tengu fever" or "Breakbone fever," is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Taiwan has experienced several large-scale outbreaks in the past, but through government and public efforts, it is no longer an area with widespread epidemics. In recent years, however, cases have reappeared due to imported cases from abroad.

Located in a subtropical region with high summer temperatures, especially in southern areas, Taiwan is well-suited for mosquito growth, resulting in dengue cases each year. The government has established a coordination mechanism to actively prevent and control dengue fever. Under the "Communicable Disease Control Act," dengue fever is classified as a Category II notifiable disease, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare as the competent authority for epidemic prevention. Prevention and control efforts include surveillance, vector mosquito investigation, medical treatment, testing, public awareness, pesticide spraying, and removal of breeding sources. The Environmental Management Administration collaborates with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to clear outdoor mosquito breeding sites and conduct emergency spraying and disinfection.

Dengue fever prevention requires the joint effort of the public and government. The government promotes the “Dengue Fever Prevention and Control Improvement Plan” and adopts 11 measures, including implementing health education and advocacy; multi-tiered mobilization to clear breeding sources; the great mobilization plan; establishing basic information and positioning; patrolling and evaluating; external auditing; reinforcing empty house, empty lot, and construction site inspections; machinery coordination; medication preparation; no pesticide unless necessary; and emergency response. Local environmental protection agencies are asked to promote dengue fever prevention awareness via diverse channels, publishing press releases and social media posts about the “inspect, empty, clean, scrub” method as appropriate and urging the public to actively clean up around their homes. Additionally, training for pesticide spraying and local inspections are also required, lowering the chance of dengue fever developing by clearing breeding sources. Key points of the work include:

1. Members of the public should proactively eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes, while the government should reinforce supervision and penalties.
2. Promoting the national dengue fever mobilization plan under the principles of everyday prevention and spread containment. Through dengue fever prevention lectures, community volunteering on environment cleanup days, or advocacy rallies and supportive measures such as publications, public announcements on recycling trucks, community news tickers, press releases, radio, or social media, the public are constantly reminded about “inspect, empty, clean, scrub” and to remove breeding sources. The plan keeps the public aware of dengue fever prevention as well as educates and urges them to actively inspect and clean up breeding sources.
3. Conduct pesticide spraying training for frontline personnel.
4. Provide financial support to local environmental agencies for the purchase of pesticide spraying equipment and chemicals and the monitoring and elimination of vector mosquitoes.
5. Establish a support list to coordinate manpower and spraying equipment from other agencies.
6. Strengthen patrols in dengue fever-affected areas, especially in locations likely to breed vector mosquitoes.

Dengue fever prevention requires long-term, continuous effort, with cooperation and support from the government, the public, and all relevant agencies. Through ongoing monitoring, breeding site elimination, education, and preventative measures, we can effectively control the spread of dengue fever, protect public health, and create a safe and healthy environment.