211996 Dengue in Taiwan: Epidemiological characteristics and strategic challenges in disease prevention

Monday, November 9, 2009: 10:45 AM

Jhy-Wen Wu, PhD , Centers for Disease Control , R.O.C.(Taiwan), Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan is located on the border between the subtropical and tropical regions. The climate condition, characterized by relatively high temperature and high humidity year-round, is ideal for the dissemination and growth of dengue vector mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the two main vectors which can transmit dengue in Taiwan.

Historically, epidemic dengue in Taiwan was first described in 1870. The most serious outbreak during this decade occurred in 2002. The number of confirmed cases was 5,336, including 242 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) which caused 21 deaths. In 2007, there were 2,000 indigenous cases of dengue fever, including 11 cases of DHF with no deaths.

The epidemiological analysis showed that most indigenous dengue cases were able to trace back the imported cases preceding the local transmission. Dengue virus strains with different serotypes and genotypes were found to be responsible for the yearly outbreaks. The epidemic strains disappear with the ending of each local outbreak. Therefore, it is reasonably inferred that dengue is not an endemic disease in Taiwan.

Taiwan CDC has implemented a reinforced four-year program of dengue fever control aiming at eliminating vector-breeding sources and reducing incidence rates of indigenous dengue fever. The program includes components of prevention through vectors source reduction, surveillance, outbreak control and research. In this presentation, we will review the dengue epidemiology and share Taiwan's experiences in dengue prevention and control. These may be useful for global dengue control.

Learning Objectives:
Share the experiences and exchange the views about dengue prevention and control.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I've worked in Taiwan CDC and participated in policy making of dengue for several years. Many effective strategies has implemented for dengue prevention and control in Taiwain. I'd like to share the experience that is useful for global dengue control.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.