■Health
Dengue cases rise to 12
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday that the number of recorded indigenous dengue fever cases has risen to 12, mostly in Kaohsiung City. The Department of Health warned the public to take precautions against dengue fever as the disease is entering its peak season. CDC Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-haw (周志浩) said that among the 12 cases, 11 were reported in Gushan District (鼓山), while the most recent case was in Kaohsiung County’s Fongshan City (鳳山). The latest patient is a 12-year-old boy who started displaying symptoms on July 12. His illness was confirmed as the 12th indigenous dengue fever case on Tuesday. Because no vaccine exists for the disease, the CDC said the most effective measure is to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds by cleaning up containers of still water.
■Agriculture
Pox inoculation nears end
The Council of Agriculture (COA) announced yesterday that a nationwide inoculation against goat pox virus (GPV) is nearly complete, with 90 percent of all goats nationwide vaccinated as of Wednesday. The next step is to wait and see whether the outbreak slows, officials from the COA’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine said. The inoculation began late last month amid fears of a massive GPV outbreak. As of June 22, 14,000 goats out of about 220,000 in the country had been culled after it was found they were infected with the virus. There are 2,500 goat farms in Taiwan, 140 of which are feared to have been infected.
■Politics
Taiwan to host forum
Taiwan is to hold the annual assembly of the World League for Freedom and Democracy next year as part of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China (ROC), Vice Legislative Speaker Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權) said yesterday. Tseng, who doubles as chairman of the ROC chapter of the league, said the chapter will showcase Taiwan’s democracy and freedom by hosting a well organized event. The assembly will be held at the Grand Hotel in Taipei while members of the league will all be invited to participate in the event, he said. The league is an international anti-communist organization. It was formerly known as the World Anti-Communist League, with the ROC being one of the organization’s founding members.
■Transportation
Tzuchiang train still running
The Super Tzuchiang Express will continue operating until the end of October, the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) said. The nation’s largest railway system launched the special express service last year in an attempt to salvage its long-distance service, which was facing strong competition from the high speed rail service. The Super Tzuchiang Express service is only offered to those traveling from Keelung to Changhua and from Miaoli to Kaohsiung. A one-way ticket for either one of the sections costs NT$299 (US$9.31). Those traveling in a group of four only need to pay for three tickets, although the TRA said the special offer is scheduled to expire at the end of this month. Since the Super Tzuchiang Express service has proven to be popular, the TRA said it has therefore decided to extend the service until Oct. 31. The TRA also announced that it will resume the special express train service along the east coast on Saturday. Tickets from Taipei to Yilan are NT$100 one-way, as are tickets from Yilan to Hualien.
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