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Two dengue fever cases in Shilin prompt spraying

The health agencies of the Taipei City and Taipei County governments are implementing preventive measures against dengue fever following the confirmation of two recent indigenous cases in Taipei City’s Shilin District (士林).

Three additional dengue cases have been reported in the same district, city government official Chen Cheng-cheng (陳正誠) said yesterday.

To reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in the district, the city government has dispatched staff to spray insecticide indoors and outdoors in areas within 200m of buildings with dengue fever cases, while conducting additional outdoor spraying in 10 boroughs near the areas.

The two confirmed cases involve two residents of Shilin, while the other three involve people who had visited the district, Chen said.

Meanwhile, the Taipei County government also ordered that insecticide be sprayed in the Sanchung City (三重) boroughs of Jenyi (仁義), Jenchung (仁忠), Wufu (五福) and Fukuei (富貴), which are adjacent to Shilin district, even though the Breteau index of dengue vector mosquito density was zero.

The Breteau index, defined as the number of positive water containers for mosquito larvae, is a relatively reliable indicator of transmission.

Chen added that health officials in the greater Taipei area have also been conducting an investigation into mosquito larvae breeding in the district and in nearby boroughs in an effort to monitor and control the mosquito-born disease.

Dengue fever is transmitted to humans by infected Aedes albo pictus mosquito larvae, which mainly breed in containers holding stagnant water.

Chen urged residents in the greater Taipei area to strengthen efforts to clean up environmental black spots and eliminate standing water in water storage containers, such as flower pots, water buckets and discarded tires, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

He also reminded those who develop early symptoms of dengue fever, such as a fever, joint pain and skin rash, to immediately seek medical treatment.

As part of efforts to prevent an outbreak of dengue fever, Taipei City residents who have received notification are required to open their doors so that cleaning personnel can spray insecticide inside their homes. Those who refuse will face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$300,000, Chen said.
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