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Source: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&sec...9&m=3&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Dengue cases alarming, says Jeddah mayor
Hasan Hatrash | Arab News
JEDDAH: Twenty cases of dengue fever were registered last week in Jeddah, signaling an alarming increase in the number of infections in the city.
?Twenty infections in one week is considered a big number,? said Jeddah Mayor Adel Fakieh, who was speaking to journalists during an inspection tour with Jeddah municipality?s dengue combating groups in Al-Jameah district of south Jeddah.
Fakieh noted that there is a global increase in dengue fever, and that the illness is growing in Jeddah, especially in unorganized districts.
According to official statistics issued by the municipality, 84 dengue fever infections have been reported in the city in the last three months.
He added that the city?s incomplete sewage system and underground water network, and puddles in ongoing construction sites have contributed to the continuous spread of the disease. He said the relevant authorities are now joining hands to work together to eradicate mosquitoes that cause the disease to spread. ?Previously, every department worked alone, but now we will have joint groups comprising various concerned agencies to combat the disease and spread awareness,? he said.
He said the municipality has recently organized a workshop on ways to combat dengue fever; the event was participated by officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.
He noted that the disease could not be eliminated without the support of the public. He said people could play a larger role in combating the disease by being aware of how to ruin the breeding environment of mosquitoes in their homes and neighborhoods.
Fadil Al-Harbi, a member of the municipality?s dengue combating group, said the southern areas of the city are the most affected by the disease. He attributed this to water shortages that force residents to use water stored in barrels, which are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
He noted that many residents of the southern unorganized districts are African immigrants who do not speak fluent Arabic or English.
?They could not fully understand the messages and precautions that were highlighted in awareness campaigns,? he said.
Dengue cases alarming, says Jeddah mayor
Hasan Hatrash | Arab News
JEDDAH: Twenty cases of dengue fever were registered last week in Jeddah, signaling an alarming increase in the number of infections in the city.
?Twenty infections in one week is considered a big number,? said Jeddah Mayor Adel Fakieh, who was speaking to journalists during an inspection tour with Jeddah municipality?s dengue combating groups in Al-Jameah district of south Jeddah.
Fakieh noted that there is a global increase in dengue fever, and that the illness is growing in Jeddah, especially in unorganized districts.
According to official statistics issued by the municipality, 84 dengue fever infections have been reported in the city in the last three months.
He added that the city?s incomplete sewage system and underground water network, and puddles in ongoing construction sites have contributed to the continuous spread of the disease. He said the relevant authorities are now joining hands to work together to eradicate mosquitoes that cause the disease to spread. ?Previously, every department worked alone, but now we will have joint groups comprising various concerned agencies to combat the disease and spread awareness,? he said.
He said the municipality has recently organized a workshop on ways to combat dengue fever; the event was participated by officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.
He noted that the disease could not be eliminated without the support of the public. He said people could play a larger role in combating the disease by being aware of how to ruin the breeding environment of mosquitoes in their homes and neighborhoods.
Fadil Al-Harbi, a member of the municipality?s dengue combating group, said the southern areas of the city are the most affected by the disease. He attributed this to water shortages that force residents to use water stored in barrels, which are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
He noted that many residents of the southern unorganized districts are African immigrants who do not speak fluent Arabic or English.
?They could not fully understand the messages and precautions that were highlighted in awareness campaigns,? he said.
