Malaria eradication in Taiwan, 1952-1964--some memorable facts

Island-wide indoor spraying, at 2 g technical DDT per m2, applied once a year from 1953 through 1957 interrupted the chain of transmission and reduced malaria morbidity to a very low level. The goal of the program was shifted from control to eradication in 1955. The primary vector, Anopheles minimus, greatly reduced in number, was still widely distributed in the post-spraying years. An elaborate surveillance operation from 1958 through 1964 eliminated residual foci of transmission and reservoirs of infection. No specific anopheline control measures or large scale mass drug treatment were carried out after 1960. The last indigenous case of Plasmodium falciparum occurred on July 22, 1961, that of P. vivax on December 24, 1961, and that of P. malariae on November 11, 1962. The successful eradication of malaria in Taiwan was certified by a 3-member World Health Organization evaluation team in December 1964. The success of the program was brought about by (1) epidemiologically and entomologically sound planning and coordinated, vigorous execution by the regular health services and the military anti-malaria unit, (2) generous technical and financial assistance from the Rockefeller Foundation, The World Health Organization, the International Cooperation Administration, the Council for United States Aid, and the Joint Commission for Rural Reconstruction, (3) dedication of field supervisors at all levels, i.e., provincial (including the Provincial Malaria Research Institute), county and township, and (4) enthusiastic community participation.