Muscat – The Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with Muscat Municipality and Oman Environmental Service Holding Company (be’ah) on Tuesday launched a mission to fight mosquito menace in the capital Muscat.

A statement by MoH said that the Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat governorate initiated the campaign after receiving reports on Aedes Aegypti mosquito infestation in the wilayat of Seeb.

Field teams were organised to look into the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes’ habitat, particularly their breeding grounds.

The campaign will continue until January 12, 2023 and will cover areas around the Mawaleh Central Fruits and Vegetables Market, Seeb Market and Mabelah North.

The Ministry of Health has urged people to take necessary steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by properly covering water tanks and cleaning them every five days. The ministry also requested people to clean water tanks, dispose water from air conditioners, change water of fountains, swimming pools and of those reservoirs used for agricultural purposes every five days.

It also called for changing water containers meant for animals and birds every five days.

‘Used tyres, empty cans and damaged household utensils should be disposed appropriately,’ it further suggested.

Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses. The mosquito can be recognised by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax.

Dengue fever spreads through female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes after they bite any infected person.

The virus infects the mosquito’s mid-gut and subsequently spreads to the salivary glands over a period of 8-12 days. After this incubation period, the virus can be transmitted to humans.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, mostly in disposed containers left outdoors.