Dengue vector control in the urban environment of Taiwan.

An epidemic of dengue occurred in southern Taiwan in 1987, and by the end of 1988 there were 10,420 reported cases, of which 60.5% were from Kaohsiung Municipality. The urbanization and industrialization of the municipality have resulted in a vast increase in the breeding habitats of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti. In the early stage of the epidemic, only space spraying with insecticides was undertaken, but the Aedes density gradually increased and reached its peak in the third quarter of 1988. Through a great effort in the promotion of extensive and systematic community-based source reduction started in December 1988, the Aedes density and number of dengue cases dropped significantly. Excellent results were thus achieved and no more indigenous cases occurred in 1990.