3,000 Dengue Cases Recorded in Jeddah Since Beginning of 2016

In this Jan. 27, 2016 photo, samples of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, responsible for transmitting dengue and Zika, sit in a petri dish at the Fiocruz Institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. (AP)

JEDDAH: The number of confirmed cases of dengue fever in Jeddah since the beginning of the year 2016 has reached 2,926. In 2006, the total number of cases was 10,000, according to Sabq, quoting relevant medical sources.

The source said that the main reason behind the current spread of dengue fever is the early seasonal beginning of heat and humidity which causes mosquitoes to venture inside homes where they can find shade. During this period, the use of air-conditioners is prolonged which leads to an accumulation of water in flower vases and other dishes, particularly where expatriate workers live.

The source said that warnings about the spread of the disease this season were issued early. Additionally, the health ministry had organised a number of meetings with the secretariat, water and agriculture ministries on the issue.

The number of specialist grounds teams was also increased, and were entrusted with the task of investigating and fighting the dengue mosquitoes in all homes and residential areas where workers are present. They also worked to create greater awareness about dengue fever in affected areas in various languages, in cooperation with mosques. A number of seminars and symposiums were also held after prayers on this. The issue was also mentioned in sermons, particularly during Ramadan.

There was also cooperation with the National Water Company by informing consumers about the areas where cases of dengue fever had been detected. Because of these efforts, the number of cases last week came down to 12 in comparison to 19 in the previous week.

(Source: ArabNews.com)