As Typhoon Danas swept through Taiwan, it brought strong winds and heavy rainfall. In the aftermath, many areas continued to experience rain, leading to water accumulation and flooding in some regions. The Ministry of Environment noted that the week following a typhoon is a critical period for dengue fever prevention. The public is reminded to promptly inspect their homes and surrounding environments, actively check for standing water and remove containers where mosquitoes may breed.
The Environmental Management Administration said that dengue fever is transmitted through mosquito bites. Intermittent rainfall following a typhoon can easily create water-filled containers, providing ideal breeding conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes. If mosquitoes lay eggs in the stagnant water, they can hatch within a week into adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue virus. As a result, the local mosquito population may significantly increase within two weeks. Therefore, the public is advised to actively inspect both the interior and exterior of their homes after heavy rainfall and thoroughly "inspect," "dump," "clean," and "scrub." This means inspecting items and areas prone to water accumulation such as: vases, water trays, tree holes, gutters, wastewater buckets, discarded foam containers, plastic bottles, pots, basins, water tanks, plant saucers, tarpaulins, used tires, and flooded basements. Also dump or dry out accumulated water, clean by sorting and removing unnecessary items, scrub remaining items thoroughly to remove mosquito eggs. Also, properly store, organize, or invert these items to prevent future water buildup and block mosquito breeding opportunities.
The ministry urges citizens to separate perishable and odorous garbage from large waste items when cleaning up. For large discarded furniture, bathtubs, aquariums, and other bulky containers, residents should contact local sanitation teams for removal. Water storage containers still in use must be scrubbed regularly and kept covered or fitted with fine mesh to prevent mosquito breeding. Additionally, gutters and ditches in alleyways can become overlooked mosquito hotspots, so residents should pay special attention to these and get rid of any standing water.
Furthermore, the public is reminded that while cleaning their homes and carrying out disinfection after a typhoon, it is essential to protect hands and feet to avoid injury. Extra care should also be taken with drinking water and food hygiene. It is advised that water is boiled thoroughly or consumed from sealed packages. During this phase of post-disaster recovery, only through a collective effort to protect ourselves and prevent dengue fever can we preserve a clean and healthy living environment.