The ‘big bite’ is back with a vengeance as mosquito swarms hover menacingly close to open waterways bringing misery to families living close by.
An SOS has been raised over the latest outbreak as the weather cools down and the bites and blood sucking begins.
Infestations have already been reported from coastal regions, reclaimed land and farming areas in Buhair Valley, Arad, Galali, Tubli, Al Luzi, Malkiya and Dar Kulaib.
Parliament’s services committee, Bahrain’s three municipal councils – Southern, Northern and Muharraq – and the Capital Trustees Board, have received a growing number of complaints.
Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif is calling for a long-term solution to the menace rather than the usual scattergun approach to the problem.
“Spraying chemicals and medicines is only a surface solution to the mosquito menace, while the core issue appears to remain unresolved for years,” Mr Abdullatif told the GDN.
“People, including myself as a Buhair Valley resident, have duct tape placed across all our windows and we cannot open them for fear of getting badly bitten,” he said.
“Mosquitoes are a known health hazard around mostly coastal regions, reclaimed land and farming areas, some of which have only been inhabited over the past decade. It is unfortunate that someone’s dream home turns into a nightmare at this time of year – the worst nightmare ever.
“We have asked the Works Ministry to study ideas for water drainage or installing more pipelines, amongst many other ideas, but nothing appears to have been done, and we are still waiting.”
He said that he has been presented with several medical reports from residents who had suffered bites.
The GDN earlier reported that neighbourhoods across Bahrain were sprayed by the Health Ministry with pesticides as part of efforts to help eradicate the problem.
It dispatched pest control specialists to areas where large pools of stagnant rainwater and water pools were located.
The Health Ministry announced it used different mosquito smoke spray guns and pesticide sprayers to eradicate infestations.
It explained the mosquito menace had occurred due to compounded factors after last month’s heavy rains, a cluster of swamps and temperature changes.
The ministry also warned the public to stay away from areas with large mosquito populations – urging residents living close to swamps to use repellent lotions and sprays.
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said it is expected weather changes, especially more rain, may result in mosquitoes surrounding the surfaces of puddles and larger pools.
“I don’t know when people will be able to live in peace. Even with the blessing of rain, many see it as a curse,” he added.
“Allowing the problem to remain unresolved with backdated methods and equipment for years is unacceptable.”
He added the mosquito menace is likely to increase in tandem with the country expanding.
“New areas across the country are emerging, especially near the sea and farms so solutions using new technologies should be sought,” said Mr Al Naar.
Meanwhile Northern Governorate constituency two (Duraz, Al Murkh, Bani Jamra and East Salman Town) councillor Bassem Abu Idrees urged the authorities to come up with longer-term solutions.
“There is a problem with mosquitoes here and, although I know they don’t spread malaria in Bahrain, apart from the discomfort caused by bites, they can spread other illnesses and diseases,” he said.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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