Tainan has reported its first dengue fever case of 2016.
The case occurred two months earlier than normal. Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te has announced that dengue fever has returned to the city. Tainan and neighboring Kaohsiung were at the heart of last year’s dengue fever epidemic.
On Thursday, Premier Chang San-cheng said that Tainan residents should prepare quickly for the epidemic’s return. He said that the health ministry is in contact with local authorities in Tainan and will put the Central Epidemic Command Center into action if necessary.
Chang also said that once the new Cabinet is named on April 20, incoming Cabinet members can be invited to attend meetings on the dengue fever outbreak. This will ensure a smooth transition between the outgoing Cabinet and the new Cabinet, set to take office on May 20.
The Cabinet has also asked experts to find samples of the vector mosquito behind the latest outbreak and to conduct research on them. The government has earmarked NT$200 million (US$6 million) for research into preventing dengue fever epidemics.