Keep Dengue Fever Away: After Heavy Rain, "Inspect, Empty, Clean, Scrub"
Today (the 7th), a front arrived in the north, and standing water could be seen everywhere. The Taipei City Health Bureau especially reminded the public to pay attention to the dengue fever outbreak and to clear mosquito breeding sources from the environment. In Tainan City, currently the most severely affected by the outbreak, cumulative cases have exceeded 5,000. The Tainan City Government stressed that it has hired many experts and scholars as epidemic prevention consultants and called on the public to implement the cleanup principles of "patrol, tip, clean, scrub."
The outbreak in Tainan City continues to spread. On September 6 alone, Tainan added 363 cases, and by today (the 7th) it had reached 5,247 confirmed cases. Of the 37 administrative districts, only 3 districts remain "not yet fallen": Beimen District, Longqi District, and Houbi District. Children going to school and holiday tourism have all been affected.
In response to this wave of dengue fever, Tainan Deputy Mayor Yen Chun-zuo said today that the Tainan City Government has hired former CDC Director-General Su Ih-jen as chief consultant of the epidemic prevention center, with experts including Professor Chin Chuan-chun of National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Professor Chen Chin-sheng of the Department of Biotechnology at Chang Jung Christian University, and Associate Professor Huang Chi-sen of University of Taipei assisting with epidemic investigation, chemical control, and other operations.
However, Health Bureau Director Lin Sheng-che and Environmental Protection Bureau Director Li Hsien-wei both said that although chemical control operations will continue, the public must still cooperate with "patrol, tip, clean, scrub" to remove breeding sources in the environment, which is the only way to effectively curb the spread of the dengue fever outbreak. Two days after spraying, the Health Bureau and Environmental Protection Bureau will also send personnel to the spraying sites for follow-up inspections.
Taipei City reports its 4th dengue fever case; the north should not let its guard down either
Today Taipei City also reported its 4th locally acquired confirmed dengue fever case. The Taipei City Health Bureau said that the 49-year-old man, who lives in Wenshan District, travels among Wenshan District, Beitou District, Taoyuan City, Changhua County, and other places because of work and residence. He developed fever symptoms on September 1 and sought medical attention again on the 4th because his symptoms had not improved. After hospital reporting and comparison with his travel records, he was confirmed as a locally acquired dengue fever case.
At present, the Taipei City Health Bureau has conducted a mosquito density survey within 100 meters of his home and workplace and carried out related work to clear breeding sources. It will also continue to monitor the case and contacts. Chen Shao-ching, director of the Disease Control Division, said that the Health Bureau and Civil Affairs Bureau have integrated resources such as community epidemic prevention volunteers and neighborhood chiefs across the city to strengthen inspections of vector mosquitoes in fire lanes, vacant lots, empty houses, hillside areas, vegetable gardens, and construction sites.
Chen Shao-ching said that if mosquito larvae are found breeding in water containers and improvements are not made within the deadline, a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 yuan may be imposed under the Communicable Disease Control Act.
The Health Bureau reminded the public that when doing outdoor activities, they should wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing; before traveling to dengue fever epidemic areas, they should make mosquito prevention preparations. If symptoms such as fever, limb soreness, headache, retro-orbital pain, and muscle pain appear, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of their travel history to facilitate diagnosis and treatment.