UAE uses GPS to eliminate over 400 mosquitoes breeding sites

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Community Prevention, on Wednesday briefed the Federal National Council about the measures taken by the Ministry to prevent the spread of dengue fever.

The concerns over dengue fever was raised in the FNC by Walid Ali Al Mansouri, council member,  after it had emerged that the recent heavy rain which flooded several areas of UAE has created ponds of stagnant water which could easily become mosquito breeding sites.

Al Owais pointed to the great role played by the government and to the directives of the wise leadership regarding harnessing all capabilities to limit the emergence and spread of epidemics.

He also pointed to the efforts made by the Ministry in cooperation with all federal and local health and environmental authorities to develop necessary strategies and procedures and follow up on their implementation to prevent dengue fever and limit its spread. It is worth mentioning that dengue fever is caused by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Among these measures, according to the Minister, is coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to implement the comprehensive and integrated management approach to dealing with disease vectors recommended by the WHO and based on Federal Law 14 of 2014 regarding combating communicable diseases.

The Ministry also participates in the national campaign to combat mosquitoes in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and all strategic partners, as the locations of the spread of mosquitoes in the country have been identified using GPS devices to facilitate monitoring the insect map and its development.

Among these procedures also, the Emirates Health Services Corporation appointed 9 specialised teams to work with the National Mosquito Control Campaign in the Northern Emirates.

The National Campaign provided a laboratory specialised in diagnosing various mosquito samples (Anopheles/Culex/Aedes) and selecting appropriate and effective pesticides to combat mosquitoes.

The participating teams conducted 1,200 entomological surveys for mosquitoes and analysed 309 samples for mosquito DNA in the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADFSA) lab, after which 409 mosquito larvae breeding sites were eliminated as part of the national campaign activities.

The Minister added that the Ministry carries out health education and community awareness campaigns on the importance of combating mosquitoes to prevent the diseases they transmit, in both Arabic and English, using visual means and various tools.

Al Owais added that if cases found, they are treated in accordance with the latest international ways and best practices, as all facilities of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, which are estimated at 134 health facilities, have been equipped and empowered to provide appropriate health and treatment services for dengue fever patients.