War against mosquitoes on

MUSCAT, Jan 7 - Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, on Monday launched the Muscat regional campaign for the eradication of Aedes Aegypti mosquito even as the number of dengue cases touched 40 in the Sultanate. The campaign, to be carried out from January 8 to 21, was launched at the Al Sayyida Fatima bint Ali Mosque in North al Hail under the theme ‘Your Cooperation Indicates Your Awareness’.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Saeedi said public health is the responsibility of every citizen and resident of the country. “Each one has a vital role in ensuring our surroundings are clean,” he said.
The campaign aims at eliminating the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has caused dengue in the Muscat governorate. The 40 dengue cases have been confirmed between December 12, 2018 and January 3, 2019.

It is being jointly conducted by MoH and Muscat Municipality in partnership with the civil community. Al Saeedi said a perfect collaboration of all stakeholders and the public can yield the desired result.“In order to eliminate the dengue virus and other illnesses transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito, cooperation from several sectors along with various communities is required.” He said the public-private participation was needed to work within the framework of National Integrated Vector Management Strategy to ensure continuity and meet challenges from time to time.
The National Integrated Vector Management Committee has approved the national strategy.
The minister said one of the most significant control methods is getting rid of “manmade” breeding sites for these mosquitoes.
“Emphasis should be on promoting public health through community awareness on proper practices for eliminating possible mosquito breeding sites.”

The launch event included a lecture by Dr Saif al Abri, Director-General of Disease Control Surveillance at MoH, which identifies Aedes Aegypti mosquito and the diseases it causes.
Dr Al Abri took stock of the local situation vis-à-vis dengue and the combat efforts.
Dr Shawqi al Zadjali, Assistant Director-General for Health Affairs at the Muscat Municipality, said the mosquito elimination plan involves three key elements: community partnership, environmental sanitation and integrated management.
Dr Al Zadjali said the integrated management for Aedes Aegypti fight can be achieved through preventive procedures and environmental actions, besides biological and chemical control. The role of the community in making the campaign a success was underlined by Shaikh Yahya al Amri, member, Muscat Municipal Council, Representative of Seeb.
Dr Fatima al Ajmi, Director-General for Health Services, Muscat Governorate, said the campaign targets 100 households and 25,000 facilities. A task force comprising 1,000 well-trained and qualified members from various organisations is in place to carry out the campaign.
MoH and Muscat Municipality have urged both citizens and residents to seek information from reliable sources and ignore rumours. People can get in touch with the contact centres of MoH or Muscat Municipality for any queries.

Dengue symptoms

1) Skin rashes that appear two to five days after onset of fever
2) Fatigue
3) Nausea
4) Vomiting
5) high fever
6) Severe headaches
7) Pain behind the eyes
8) Severe joint and muscle pain

Preventive measures

1) Empty water containers, clean them with brush every five days

2) Get rid of collected water from air-conditioners and split units and other areas

3) Change water in swimming pools, foundation and planting pots every five days

4) Change water from drinking pots of animals and birds, and clean them with brush before refilling every five days

5) Cover water tanks properly

6) Get rid of old tyres as they can collect water and be a breeding ground for mosquitoes

7) Properly dispose of empty painting containers and

spoiled house dishes

How to avoid

mosquito bites?

1) Wear long-sleeved,

body-covered clothes

2) Apply mosquito-repellent ointments on exposed

parts of body

3) Cover windows with a mesh

4) Spray homes with

insecticides