Mohammad Dawood

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — Environmental experts have warned of an increase in dengue fever cases due to the sporadic rainfall in a number of Jeddah areas.



The recent rain has resulted in many impromptu ponds being formed that are an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes.



Experts have called for proper solutions to these areas and to intensify the spraying of pesticides.



Environment professor at King Abdulaziz University Dr. Ali Eshqi said pools of stagnant water provide an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes and that the municipality should find solutions to these mini swamps.



He said pesticides should be sprayed inside neighborhoods during the morning hours when students are at school, especially as some children are allergic to the chemicals.



The head of media at the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) Naif Al-Shalhoob said mosquitoes can adapt to all environments like humans. When mosquitoes find a suitable environment they begin their life cycle, he said.



"There are two types of mosquitoes; the first type only causes minor skin irritations that are not dangerous and the second type causes serious illnesses like malaria and dengue fever," he said.



Al-Shalhoob recommended pesticide types should be changed once in a while so that mosquitoes do not develop immunity against them.



He noted mosquitoes have infested Jeddah and the only way to combat dengue is through scientific methods.



Environmental researcher Mohammad Felimban said mosquitoes normally spread during this relatively cool period, which also witnesses some rainfall.



He believed the best time to spread pesticides is between Asr and Maghrib prayers.



The public should take all necessary preventive methods inside their homes to avoid mosquitoes and that children should be prevented from running after vehicles spraying pesticides, he said.