An increasing number of dengue fever cases are being reported in southern Taiwan and the mosquitoes that carry the disease have developed resistance to insecticide because of indiscriminate spraying, an Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) official said yesterday.
Despite the recent cooler weather, dengue fever still poses a threat in the south, especially around Kaohsiung City.
Wendy Wu (吳文娟), deputy director of the Department of Environmental Sanitation and Toxic Substance Management, said there have been 374 dengue cases reported nationwide this year, including 263 in Kaohsiung City and 70 in Kaohsiung County.
Wu said people demand that local authorities spray insecticide in the mistaken belief that this is the most effective way to control dengue fever. Because of this indiscriminate spraying, mosquitoes have developed resistance, she said.
“Spraying insecticide is only a temporary solution to the problem,” she said, adding that the most effective preventive measure is to remove the standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
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