The Department of Health, the Tourism Bureau, the Council of Labor Affairs and the National Immigration Agency will work together to spread information and knowledge about containing the spread of the disease.

Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease characterized by headaches, severe joint pain, and rashes. It tends to strike Taiwan every year and may take the lives of patients in serious cases.

DOH officials said 16 indigenous dengue cases were confirmed so far this year.

The total number of cases which originated overseas has reached 26, with Indonesia topping the list with 17 cases, followed by Thailand and Vietnam, which has three cases each.

Officials said Southeast Asian nations, especially Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, have all intensified their public awareness campaigns to fight dengue fever because the threats of the infectious disease this year may be more serious than previous years.

The courses and updated information will help people who constantly mingle with tourists, prospective foreign workers and foreign brides to gain adequate knowledge and adopt measures to cope with dengue fever and infected people, officials said.

Assistance will be solicited from foreign officials stationed in Taiwan.

In addition, information about the disease will be posted in booklets to be distributed to foreign workers and on relevant Internet Web sites, including the one maintained by the Association of Tour Managers (ATM) of the Republic of China.