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EPA takes steps against dengue

Members of the Taitung County Department of Health check areas for possible mosquito breeding grounds on March 11 to prevent the spread of dengue fever. PHOTO: WANG HSIU-TING, TAIPEI TIMES

Global warming could increase the prevalence of dengue fever, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday, urging the public to begin their prevention work early as the warmer months approach.

The EPA has published a pamphlet illustrating strategies that worked well in previous years to teach the public how to stay healthy in the heat.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito in warm regions of the world including Asia and Africa.

The disease is characterized by an acute onset of fever and typically lasts a week. Patients develop severe headaches, muscle pains and rashes that may cover the entire body in severe cases.

"In 1998 Taiwan was 1.43oC hotter than our historical average -- more than twice the global increase, which was 0.6oC," EPA Minister Winston Dang (陳重信) said.

The increased temperature makes for more prolific breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, Dang said, which could increase the prevalence of dengue in northern Taiwan.

"In 1998 Taiwan was 1.43oC hotter than our historical average -- more than twice the global increase, which was 0.6oC."

Winston Dang, EPA minister

The best way to eliminate dengue fever, the minister said, is to start with Aedes aegypti mosquito extermination.

"In addition to the work done by the EPA street cleaners, people can help improve our environment by eliminating standing pools of water [such as in old fish bowls or flowerpots]," Dang said.

The complete pamphlet can be downloaded from the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov.tw.

In related news, the EPA yesterday said that 1.44 percent -- or 122 out of 33,717 -- of sampled domestic pesticides failed to comply with regulations, with 111 violators selling expired products.

Among the 11 samples that violated the EPA's pesticide dosage allowances, Korean-made COMBAT Power Roach contained twice the allowed amount, said Yuan Shaw-ying (袁紹英), director-general of the EPA's department of environmental sanitation and toxic substance management.

Yuan assured consumers that all products unfit for sale had been pulled from shelves, but urged the public to maintain their environment by using pesticides sparingly and carefully cleaning surfaces after using them.
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