Although the number of new cases of dengue fever has declined, the disease is still in peak season and citizens should remain on the alert, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said today at the Cabinet's weekly meeting.
Premier Jiang urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Environmental Protection Administration to work with Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung authorities to prevent transmissions, raise public awareness through the media, and remind citizens to guard themselves against the fever. The Ministry of National Defense was also instructed to continue supporting emergency prevention tasks. It is hoped that cooperation between the central and local governments will help bring the outbreak to an early end.
This year's dengue fever outbreaks have been severe in Taiwan and abroad with the number of cases hitting fresh highs, Jiang said. The Executive Yuan noticed the warning signs in early summer and has instructed government agencies numerous times to strengthen their preventive measures. In August, the Yuan also approved the use of NT$30 million (US$1 million) from its secondary reserve fund to help Kaohsiung City Government to fight the fever.
Jiang emphasized that government agencies should lead by example. For instance, the Ministry of Education can use the education system to instruct teachers and students on proper ways to prevent the fever. All ministries should clear away mosquito breeding sites from their buildings, grounds, equipments and facilities. In particular, authorities should inspect high-risk areas in southern Taiwan more frequently.
As for MOHW plans for a dengue fever research and prevention center, Jiang said the center should work with specialists and experts to develop new prevention methods. Some of these prominent research institutes in Taiwan include the National Health Research Institutes and Academia Sinica. He hoped the MOHW can come up with quick and effective measures through cross-agency cooperation, and asked the Ministry of Science and Technology to offer assistance when necessary.