Bahrain is stepping up its efforts to combat the mosquito menace, following regular complaints from residents.
Health Ministry public health directorate environmental health chief Rajaa Al Salloom said a specialised company could be hired to provide high-tech equipment, smoking nests and spray insecticides as the ministry is facing a shortage of manpower and machinery.
Besides, round-the-clock contact channels have been opened for people to file their complaints.
Ms Al Salloom was addressing Southern Municipal Council members during their regular meeting at the Southern Municipality headquarters in Riffa.
An SOS was issued last month after infestations of the pesky pests were reported from coastal regions, reclaimed land and farming areas in Buhair Valley, Arad, Galali, Tubli, Al Luzi, Malkiya and Dar Kulaib.
“Mosquitoes have increased in numbers simply because people now have gardens, fountains and swimming pools,” said Ms Al Salloom.
“There is nothing wrong with home gardening, landscaping, beautification or recreation, but without proper cleaning, mosquitoes tend to breed in these places,” she explained.
She stressed that the task of eradicating mosquitoes was not simple.
“Spraying and eradication operations are tiresome and time-consuming,” said Ms Al Salloom.
“Our limited staff and machinery are fully occupied and working overtime, that’s why we are planning to bring in a specialised company to help us.”
However, council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif said he was not convinced and called for a long-term solution to the menace rather than the usual ‘scattergun’ approach.
“Spraying chemicals and medicines is only a temporary solution to the mosquito menace, with the core issue remaining unresolved for years,” he said.
“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.
“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.
“We have asked the Works Ministry to study ideas such as better water drainage system or installing more pipelines but nothing appears to have been done.” He said that he has been presented with several medical reports from residents who had been bitten.
The GDN reported last month that Parliament’s services committee, Bahrain’s three municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board have received a growing number of complaints.
Neighbourhoods across Bahrain were sprayed with pesticides as part of efforts to help eradicate the problem.
It also sent 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 heavy rains in November, a cluster of swamps and temperature changes.
The ministry also warned people to stay away from areas with large mosquito infestations – urging residents living close to swamps to use repellent lotions and sprays.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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