Dengue Outbreak Feared in Jeddah

Jeddah residents have called on the municipality to mop up all stagnant pools of water because they fear an outbreak of dengue.

Residents, especially in south Jeddah, fear that the municipality has not realized the enormity of the health threat posed by the mosquito-breeding pools, and would be too slow to take action.

A resident of Ghulail, Abdul Karim Al-Johani, said that the municipality has not made “any effort” to remove the pools despite complaints. He said the pumping out of the water is the first line of defense against the disease.

Another resident, Muhammad Al-Harbi, accused the municipality of negligence for not taking measures to clear the water after the rainfall.

An official from the Health Directorate in Jeddah told Arab News that 40 locations have been identified where mosquitoes are breeding in large numbers and are a clear threat to public health.

The official urged the municipality and agriculture departments to take urgent action.

Medical sources told Arab News that cases of dengue have been on the rise since last week. One health official said over 50 cases have been identified, but these figures are far below those reported during the same period last year.

Mosquitoes are the carriers of the disease that can cause debilitating headaches, muscle aches, fever and occasionally death.

(Source: Jeddah: Nadim Al-Hamid – Arab News)