Environmental Management Administration

Every year from June to October, Taiwan enters its peak dengue fever season. High temperatures and rainfall can easily lead to standing water in the environment, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquito vectors. Dengue fever is transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It is not spread through ordinary contact, the air, or food.

Mosquito vectors prefer to breed in flower pot trays, buckets, depressions in tarps, discarded tires, and other containers that collect standing water. Any standing water can become a breeding site and increase the risk of dengue transmission. Therefore, removing standing water and mosquito breeding sources is the most effective way to prevent dengue fever.

The key to dengue prevention is stopping mosquito breeding in everyday life. The public is encouraged to follow the four-step approach: inspect, empty, clean, and scrub. When outdoors, it is also recommended to wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and pants and use mosquito repellent as needed to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

• Inspect: regularly check your home and surrounding environment for containers or places where water may accumulate.
• Empty: pour out standing water so mosquitoes have no place to breed.
• Clean: remove unused containers, waste materials, and areas prone to water accumulation.
• Scrub: scrub the inside walls of containers to remove mosquito eggs and prevent them from hatching again.

Common symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes, and rash. If you develop symptoms suggestive of dengue fever, seek medical attention immediately and proactively inform your doctor about any recent travel history or locations you have visited. This will help with diagnosis and support public health investigations. You should also thoroughly clean your home and nearby environment by removing all standing water containers, clearing drainage ditches, and properly storing or disposing of waste materials to prevent the breeding of new mosquito vectors and stop the spread of the virus within the community.

Dengue fever control requires cooperation between the government and the public. By regularly inspecting homes and surrounding areas, removing standing water, taking measures to prevent mosquito bites, and seeking prompt medical care when symptoms appear, the risk of dengue transmission can be significantly reduced.

The administration continues to work with local governments to promote dengue prevention and control through environmental inspections, removal of breeding sites, community clean-up efforts, and public education. Through interagency cooperation, we aim to reduce mosquito breeding opportunities and prevent dengue outbreaks at their source. The goal is to make the following principle a shared habit and common understanding for everyone: no standing water, no mosquito larvae; no mosquito larvae, no mosquitoes; no mosquitoes, no dengue fever. Together, we can protect a healthy and safe living environment.