Muscat – The Ministry of Health’s 2022 Annual Report, unveiled on Monday, noted a significant rise in dengue cases in Oman with 1,989 individuals diagnosed with the disease last year.

To combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for transmitting dengue, the ministry has joined forces with relevant authorities.
North Batinah Municipality launched a campaign on Monday to tackle the menace.

Ali al Omrani, Director of Health Affairs Department at North Batinah Municipality, stated the goal is to eradicate the Aedes mosquito. The municipality plans continuous campaigns across all wilayats.

For this effort, 16 teams have collaborated with the Directorate General of Health Services in the governorate.

They plan 5,567 targeted control campaigns focused on mosquito breeding areas.

To bolster community awareness, they will also conduct 1,599 educational campaigns.

Sulaiman al Sunaidi, Director General of North Batinah Municipality, highlighted the community’s role. The teams use specialised spraying techniques to fight mosquitoes, but community’s involvement is crucial to expedite this process.

It is also important to raise awareness of the dangers of mosquito proliferation, Sunaidi pointed out.

The Ministry of Health has urged people to take necessary steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by properly covering water tanks and cleaning these every five days.

It requested people to dispose water from air conditioners, change water of fountains and swimming pools every five days, and monitor water reservoirs – set up for agricultural purposes – regularly. It also called for changing water kept in containers for animals and birds every five days.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is identified by its distinctive black and white leg markings and a lyre-shaped mark on its thorax.

This mosquito is a vector for diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, Mayaro, and yellow fever. Notably, female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit dengue after biting an infected person.