[Kaohsiung News] During the municipal administrative meeting held on October 28, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai emphasized that food and agriculture education forms the foundation of sustainable agriculture and requires interdepartmental collaboration. He instructed the city government team to continue implementing and promoting initiatives under Kaohsiung’s Five-Year Food and Agriculture Education Plan to help citizens understand the value of agriculture and food, strengthen local dietary connections, and showcase the city’s achievements in advancing food and agriculture education, thereby building a resilient and sustainable agricultural food system.
Addressing the recent rise in influenza cases, Mayor Chen noted that Taiwan has now entered the flu season and urged the Department of Health to continue encouraging vaccination for high-risk groups. People experiencing respiratory symptoms should maintain personal hygiene by wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and seeking prompt medical attention. High-risk groups are advised to begin antiviral treatment as soon as possible. He also reminded the public that the second phase of government-funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for citizens aged 50 and above will begin on November 1, urging priority vaccination for high-risk groups—particularly seniors over 65, children, and healthcare personnel.
In its report to the meeting, the Department of Health stated that three dengue fever cases (two imported and one local) were confirmed in Nanzih District during September and October, all linked to workplaces in the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park, indicating continued risk of imported infections. The Department also highlighted the recent global rise in chikungunya cases, a mosquito-borne disease similar to dengue fever, citing Professor Kun-Hsien Tsai of NTU’s College of Public Health, who warned that chikungunya could become a major future threat in southern Taiwan. As Kaohsiung is a key gateway in Taiwan with both a major international seaport and an airport, and with frequent exchanges with Southeast Asia, it faces a high risk of imported cases. In addition, the widespread presence of Aedes mosquitoes and the general lack of immunity among residents mean that an outbreak could lead to large-scale infection.
The city government will continue to strengthen supervision and ensure that all industrial and business parks implement effective dengue fever and chikungunya prevention measures. It also called on citizens to actively participate in cleaning high-risk environments and removing potential mosquito breeding sites to prevent the further spread of disease.
Image caption: Mayor Chen Chi-mai directed at the municipal administrative meeting that the city government strengthen interdepartmental collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture and enhance local food connections, showcasing Kaohsiung’s comprehensive achievements in food and agriculture education.
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