Dengue Fever Prevention: Kaohsiung Orders Cleanup of Recycling Site, Urges Land Bank to Take Responsibility

The first local case of dengue fever this year has been confirmed in Kaohsiung's Qianzhen District. The epidemic prevention team inspected a recycling facility with a history of violations today, and the Health Bureau ordered a time-limited cleanup, urging the landowner, Land Bank of Taiwan, to fulfill its management responsibilities, warning of continuous heavy fines for non-compliance. The Health Bureau and the epidemic prevention team inspected the 'Hongren Recycling Facility' in Qianzhen today. In a press release, the bureau stated that the site has long been unsanitary and a breeding ground for mosquitoes, having been reported by the public many times. Since 2021, it has been fined 71 times by relevant authorities, yet today's inspection showed no improvement, posing a serious threat to community epidemic prevention. The city government stated that the landowner of the 'Hongren Recycling Facility' at No. 22, Yude Road, Zhongxiao Village, Qianzhen District, is the Land Bank of Taiwan. The bank should fulfill its 'status responsibility' for management. The Health Bureau strictly demanded a time-limited cleanup today, warning of continuous heavy fines for non-compliance. The Health Bureau noted that the facility has long caused mosquito breeding due to unsanitary conditions and waste accumulation. Since 2021, it has been cited 61 times for violating the 'Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act' and related regulations for unauthorized storage of items. Additionally, it has been penalized 10 times for violating the 'Communicable Disease Control Act,' 'Waste Disposal Act,' and 'Kaohsiung City Environmental Maintenance and Management Autonomous Ordinance.' The city's epidemic prevention team found today that the site still had large amounts of waste piled up, roads occupied, damp areas, and high-risk water containers. The environmental condition is worse than during the 2023 outbreak, posing a serious threat to community safety. The city has launched five strong enforcement measures. The Health Bureau stated these include a mandatory 48-hour cleanup, strict monitoring with immediate fines, daily high-intensity patrols, and holding the landowner, Land Bank of Taiwan, accountable. Furthermore, the city requires the Land Bank to promptly discuss terminating the lease with the illegal operator, allowing the state-owned bank to fulfill its environmental maintenance responsibilities and eradicate community health risks.