The Centers for Disease Control on Wednesday reminded the public to be alert to mosquitoes, following confirmation of the first indigenous case of dengue fever in New Taipei City this year.
The virus can be carried by different species, and the public should know how to differentiate between them, CDC officials said.
In north Taiwan, the primary carrier of dengue is Aedes albopictus, or the Asian tiger mosquito, while the primary carrier in the south is Aedes aegypti, or the yellow fever mosquito.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control
The Asian tiger mosquito can be identified by a distinctive white stripe running down its thorax, as well as white flecks on its feet, while the yellow fever mosquito has two yellowish stripes, the agency said.
The Asian tiger mosquito is usually found outdoors and near shady places with stagnant water, such as plants, detritus or garbage, as well as discarded tires, the centers said, adding that it can also be found near bamboo groves, abandoned houses or in tall grass.
The yellow fever mosquito frequents indoor places, although it also seeks shady and damp places, such as the kitchen, bedroom corners, behind curtains or dark-colored clothing, it said.
An Asian tiger mosquito is usually not alert and often does not stop feeding until it has had its fill, while a yellow fever mosquito is often alert and would halt feeding if it senses movement, the agency said.
The centers warned people who live in apartments on higher floors to be wary of potential mosquito breeding grounds near their buildings, basement or parking garages.
While it is difficult for mosquitoes to fly 10 higher than 10 stories, they can circumvent that by riding upward drafts or flying into elevators, the centers said.
PEAK MONTHS: Data showed that on average 25 to 27 typhoons formed in the Pacific and South China seas annually, with about four forming per month in July and October One of three tropical depressions in the Pacific strengthened into a typhoon yesterday afternoon, while two others are expected to become typhoons by today, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lee Ming-hsiang (李名翔) said yesterday. The outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 20, now Typhoon Mitag, has brought light rain to Hualien, Taitung and areas in the south, Lee said, adding that as of 2pm yesterday, Mitag was moving west-northwest at 16kph, but is not expected to directly affect Taiwan. It was possible that Tropical Depression No. 21 would become a typhoon as soon as last night, he said. It was moving in a
A Taiwanese academic yesterday said that Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Wang Xuefeng (王雪峰) disrespected Denmark and Japan when he earlier this year allegedly asked Japan’s embassy to make Taiwan’s representatives leave an event in Copenhagen. The Danish-language Berlingske on Sunday reported the incident in an article with the headline “The emperor’s birthday ended in drama in Copenhagen: More conflict may be on the way between Denmark and China.” It said that on Feb. 26, the Japanese embassy in Denmark held an event for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s birthday, with about 200 guests in attendance, including representatives from Taiwan. After addressing the Japanese hosts, Wang
One of two tropical depressions that formed offshore this morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. It is expected to move in a northwesterly direction as it continues building momentum, possibly intensifying into Typhoon Mitag this weekend, she added. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is expected to approach southeast of Taiwan on Monday and pass through the Bashi Channel between Tuesday and Wednesday,
About nine Taiwanese are “disappeared,” detained, or otherwise deprived of freedom of movement in China each month, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday. Between Jan. 1 last year and Aug. 31 this year, 188 Taiwanese travelers went missing, were detained and interrogated, or had their personal freedom restricted, with some questioned in airports or hotel lobbies, the council said. In a statement ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the council urged people visiting China for any reason to be highly vigilant and aware of the risks. Of the reported cases, 50 people were “disappeared” after entering China, 19 were detained and 119 had
RSS