Riyadh Municipality has recently completed its fumigation campaign to keep the city's environment free from communicable diseases such as dengue fever or other infections. Solaiman Al-Buthi, General Manager of the Environmental Health Department, said Riyadh Municipality has applied pest-control measures, particularly to check mosquito breeding, which usually increases during the winter season. He said it usually rains in Riyadh during this time of the year and allowing rainwater to accumulate in street potholes or in containers on rooftops can provide favorable conditions for mosquitoes to breed. “Even a small cup of water can provide enough space for mosquitoes to breed in large numbers,” he said. He said the campaign focused on two things – public awareness about the importance of keeping neighborhoods clean and fumigation by the Riyadh Municipality staff. A number of field inspectors were deployed with instructions to identify and treat areas where rainwater had accumulated. Pesticides were applied to eliminate mosquito larvae found in pools of water. However the application of pesticides was done after the teams of inspectors discovered the presence of mosquitoes by surveillance procedures, he said. Al-Buthi said an efficient way to control mosquitoes was to find and eliminate their breeding places. Secondly, he said, awareness campaigns outlining possible health risks were of paramount importance. Residents can take measures on an individual basis to keep their neighborhoods clean. Homeowners can clean swimming pools and water fountains that usually serve as areas for mosquito breeding, he said. The municipal official said it would be wise to drain the water from containers and empty swimming pools and water fountains, when not in use. People should destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic or other containers that collect and hold water. Caution should be taken so that water does not accumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, urns or in pet dishes for more than two days, he said.
