Intensive Dengue Control Efforts Launched in Ouahigouya
Ouagadougou – In a proactive measure against the escalating dengue fever epidemic, the Ouahigouya Health District has launched an extensive campaign targeting mosquito breeding sites in Ouahigouya. This initiative, which commenced on December 22, 2023, aims to curb the spread of the disease by December 29, 2023.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Issa Lozé Traoré, the campaign involves spraying larval breeding sites, which are key in the proliferation of the disease-carrying mosquitoes. This initiative forms part of a broader national effort to combat the dengue epidemic that has significantly impacted Burkina Faso in 2023. The Ouahigouya campaign is critical in this fight, given the city’s role as a hub in the region.
The targeted areas for this campaign are strategically chosen to cover all health training centers, public services, and various gathering places within the city. Key locations include the royal court, town hall, governorate, gendarmerie, police station, regional university hospital center (CHUR), and the courthouse. By focusing on these areas, the health district aims to significantly reduce the mosquito population and thereby lower the risk of dengue transmission.
In addition to the larvicidal spraying, Traoré has emphasized the importance of individual prevention measures. He urges the local population to use mosquito nets and anti-mosquito products diligently to minimize human-vector contact. These personal preventive strategies are essential in complementing the larger-scale efforts being undertaken by the health authorities.
The Ouahigouya Health District’s campaign is a crucial step in Burkina Faso’s ongoing battle against dengue fever, a disease that poses a significant public health challenge in many tropical regions worldwide.