With the re-occurrence of the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes and registration of dengue fever cases in Muscat, the Directorate-General of Health Services in Muscat Governorate has launched a campaign to fight the mosquitoes in collaboration with Muscat Municipality and other authorities concerned.
Field teams were formed to locate places where these Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes breed. The directorate-general with the cooperation of Muscat Municipality had also published and distributed brochures in the targeted villages in Muscat aimed at educating people and raising awareness on the issue.
Moreover, the Department of Diseases and Surveillance and Control has intensified efforts by conducting visits of experts to the breeding sites in addition to carrying out inspection of some houses in Seeb, Bausher and Al Amerat in collaboration with the respective municipalities.
Further, a two-day exhibition was held at Muscat Mall under the theme ‘’Be the Change’’ with the aim of identifying the risks of the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes and supporting the efforts exerted in this regard by creating a community partnership to get rid of these harmful insects.
To keep track of the accelerated events of the campaign, Dr Thamra al Ghafri issued an administrative decision forming a working team in controlling the spread of these mosquitoes in Muscat Governorate. The decision included specialists and officials from the directorate-general, various public directorates of Muscat Municipality, Haya Water and Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah).
The team is concerned with following up the control of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, supervise the implementation of the work at the breeding habitats in cooperation with the authorities concerned regarding the completion of spraying operations and evaluating the epidemiological situation.
The working team mheld a meeting to discuss the epidemiological situation of dengue fever as well follow up and control efforts. The meeting stressed the importance of sanitation and plans in eliminating the mosquitoes by disposal of solid wastes, clearing all types of watersheds around buildings. The meeting further underlined the necessity of covering water tanks tightly, removing used tyres, and getting rid of all empty cans, containers and utensils.
Meanwhile, Dr Thamra al Ghafri stressed the role of the community in the success of the campaign, underlying the need for community interaction with the organisers.
The Director of Diseases Surveillance and Control Dr Lamia al Balushi pointed out that the campaign aims to eliminate actual and potential breeding grounds of the mosquitoes and make the environment unsuitable for mosquitoes to breed.
She added that dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to human through the bite of the female Aedes Aegypti. The disease may cause fever, headache, tiredness, severe fatigue, skin rash, digestive disorder, pain in joints and muscles.
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