Mosquito season begins

The West Nile virus, which can be fatal, can be transferred to humans by the Culex and Asian tiger mosquitoes.

By SHARON UDASIN
Mosquito (illustrative). (photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
Mosquito (illustrative).
(photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
As temperatures rise and mosquitoes begin to buzz – and bite – around the country, the Environmental Protection Ministry is calling upon both local authorities and members of public to take a range of preventative measures. Doing so is critical to public health, as mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as the West Nile virus, the Zika virus and others, the ministry warned.
While local authorities have been instructed to conduct weekly monitoring procedures, raise awareness among residents and use pesticides appropriately, the ministry is also asking civilians to take certain steps.
Residents should not leave standing water anywhere, making sure to empty all buckets, fix leaking pipes and refrain from overwatering plants, the ministry said. Members of the public should also affix screens to their windows and doors and keep doors shut if there are no screens. In addition, they should use Environment Ministry-approved repellent sprays, as well as report any drainage channels or water pits to local authorities.
The West Nile virus, which can be fatal, can be transferred to humans by the Culex and Asian tiger mosquitoes.
The Asian tiger has black and white stripes and appears in standing water in apartment building courtyards, while the Culex is typically found in large bodies of water in open spaces, the ministry said.