Bai-shatun Pilgrimage Draws 460,000; CDC Detects No Aedes Mosquitoes in Beigang
During the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage, Taiwan's CDC intensified dengue fever prevention monitoring in the Beigang area and found no traces of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, confirming that disease vectors have not yet established themselves. Concurrently, anthropomorphic disease characters promoted public awareness on influenza, diarrhea, and dengue fever prevention.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 19:13
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 19:32 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 00:23 (52h 51m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei, April 16) This year, over 460,000 people accompanied the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage. Before the "Goddess" arrived at Chaotian Temple in Beigang, the CDC quietly launched a major epidemic prevention operation. Fortunately, no Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found. The anthropomorphic disease characters "Bai Jing" and "Jian Yi" transformed into epidemic prevention pilgrims to promote health education.
This is the third consecutive year the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has traveled south to Beigang to participate in the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage. As the palanquin arrived at Chaotian Temple in Beigang, the popular anthropomorphic disease characters "Bai Jing" and "Jian Yi" from the CDC appeared at high-traffic locations in the vicinity today, urging the public to practice personal hygiene, prevent dengue fever, and use antibiotics correctly.
Long before the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage began, the CDC urged the public to be aware of three major epidemics: influenza, diarrhea, and dengue fever, to prevent outbreaks from re-erupting due to large gatherings. Notably, the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) detected traces of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Beigang Township, Yunlin County, in 2024, officially breaching the natural defense line of the Tropic of Cancer and becoming the top priority for this round of epidemic prevention.
CDC spokesperson Zeng Shuhui explained in a media phone interview that precisely because Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were detected in Beigang Township, it became a key monitoring focus for the CDC. They do not want Beigang to become a place where Aedes mosquitoes can land and establish themselves, especially with the large crowds during the pilgrimage.
Therefore, Zeng Shuhui stated that well before the crowds arrived, the CDC, Yunlin County Government, Ministry of Environment, and NHRI attached great importance to this issue, initiating close monitoring and checks early on. Fortunately, no Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found, indicating that the vector mosquitoes have not yet established a foothold.
In addition to dengue fever, Zeng Shuhui reminded the public that as temperatures rise, it is crucial to take preventive measures during the pilgrimage. During the event, people should pay attention to their own health, practice hand hygiene to prevent the infection and transmission of respiratory infectious diseases, be mindful of food hygiene, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites, stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight, and be cautious of heatstroke or sunburn. If symptoms such as fever or cough appear, they should wear a mask, seek medical attention, and rest appropriately.
The CDC urges the public that as the weather gradually warms, it becomes conducive to the spread of vector-borne and gastrointestinal infectious diseases. Implementing regular inspection and elimination of standing water is one of the most important measures to prevent vector-borne diseases like dengue fever. Residents should frequently inspect and clear any standing water containers around their homes. When outdoors, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and use government-approved mosquito repellent products with effective ingredients to avoid insect bites. Furthermore, when dining out, pay attention to food safety and the cleanliness of the dining environment, and wash hands frequently and correctly with soap to reduce the chance of contracting gastrointestinal infectious diseases. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150416
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(Central News Agency, reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei, April 16) This year, over 460,000 people accompanied the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage. Before the "Goddess" arrived at Chaotian Temple in Beigang, the CDC quietly launched a major epidemic prevention operation. Fortunately, no Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found. The anthropomorphic disease characters "Bai Jing" and "Jian Yi" transformed into epidemic prevention pilgrims to promote health education.
This is the third consecutive year the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has traveled south to Beigang to participate in the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage. As the palanquin arrived at Chaotian Temple in Beigang, the popular anthropomorphic disease characters "Bai Jing" and "Jian Yi" from the CDC appeared at high-traffic locations in the vicinity today, urging the public to practice personal hygiene, prevent dengue fever, and use antibiotics correctly.
Long before the Bai-shatun Mazu pilgrimage began, the CDC urged the public to be aware of three major epidemics: influenza, diarrhea, and dengue fever, to prevent outbreaks from re-erupting due to large gatherings. Notably, the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) detected traces of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Beigang Township, Yunlin County, in 2024, officially breaching the natural defense line of the Tropic of Cancer and becoming the top priority for this round of epidemic prevention.
CDC spokesperson Zeng Shuhui explained in a media phone interview that precisely because Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were detected in Beigang Township, it became a key monitoring focus for the CDC. They do not want Beigang to become a place where Aedes mosquitoes can land and establish themselves, especially with the large crowds during the pilgrimage.
Therefore, Zeng Shuhui stated that well before the crowds arrived, the CDC, Yunlin County Government, Ministry of Environment, and NHRI attached great importance to this issue, initiating close monitoring and checks early on. Fortunately, no Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found, indicating that the vector mosquitoes have not yet established a foothold.
In addition to dengue fever, Zeng Shuhui reminded the public that as temperatures rise, it is crucial to take preventive measures during the pilgrimage. During the event, people should pay attention to their own health, practice hand hygiene to prevent the infection and transmission of respiratory infectious diseases, be mindful of food hygiene, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites, stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight, and be cautious of heatstroke or sunburn. If symptoms such as fever or cough appear, they should wear a mask, seek medical attention, and rest appropriately.
The CDC urges the public that as the weather gradually warms, it becomes conducive to the spread of vector-borne and gastrointestinal infectious diseases. Implementing regular inspection and elimination of standing water is one of the most important measures to prevent vector-borne diseases like dengue fever. Residents should frequently inspect and clear any standing water containers around their homes. When outdoors, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and use government-approved mosquito repellent products with effective ingredients to avoid insect bites. Furthermore, when dining out, pay attention to food safety and the cleanliness of the dining environment, and wash hands frequently and correctly with soap to reduce the chance of contracting gastrointestinal infectious diseases. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150416
Stand with the facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "One-stop News" APP for real-time updates.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.
Keywords: