Mérida, Yucatán — A new campaign to fight mosquitoes and the illness they can bring began as new statistics revealed both encouraging and disheartening news.
During the first seven months of the year, statewide dengue cases increased, with 74 reports of the illness, compared to 55 this time last year.
But zika cases declined. The current registry counts 15 cases, including nine pregnant women, while 29 were on record in 2016.
And to date, there is no record of chikungunya infections, when in 2016, 10 were on record.
State health officials on Monday launched a new campaign to prevent mosquito-borne illness. The Second National Day to Fight Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya continues until Sunday.
An opening ceremony took place on the Siglo XXI convention center esplanade.
Yucatán, sede de Jornada Nacional de Lucha contra Dengue, Zika y Chikungunya.https://t.co/AyBlv3NF4q pic.twitter.com/8qepUeDlh7
— Gobierno de Yucatán (@GobYucatan) August 21, 2017
Basic sanitation actions such as fumigation and cleaning of patios will be reinforced, with the aim of eliminating any space where water accumulates.
Experts worry about rainfall as September, the region’s wettest month, approaches.
State health authorities have deployed 536 brigades, 70 heavy machinery vehicles, 30 thermo-fog machines and 180 fumigation backpacks. A more natural ally in the fight against mosquitoes has also been the Gambusia Yucatana fish, which eats the larvae without affecting the ecosystem.
Among their priorities this week is land around educational facilities, which are gearing up for the new school year.
Sources: Sipse, Twitter
