Destroy breeding places for mosquitoes

 By ELIZABETH MIAE

HEALTH authorities have advised everyone to destroy all mosquito breeding places to control the spread of the Chikungunya fever.

It is a viral illness transmitted by an infected mosquito called Aedes which breed easily in anything that holds clean water such as old tyres, coconut shells, flower pots, vases, empty drums and jars. 

Its eggs become adults within seven to 10 days. It thrives inside and outside the house and other areas which are dark, cool or shaded. 

The Health Department’s emergency control center had advised people to:

 l Clean backyards including all water-log areas;

 l Use mosquito repellents; and

 l Not litter – paper cups, bottles and tins should not be thrown in drains, on roadsides, vacant land and other areas that could hold rain water and help mosquitoes to breed.

Symptoms of Chikungunya include sudden fever, severe headache, chills, nausea, vomiting and joint pain. The illness could last up to 12 days.

The fever spreads when the Aedes mosquito bites an infected person then bites an uninfected person. 

People with symptoms of Chikungunya must report immediately to their nearest health center or hospital. 

There is no specific treatment for Chikungunya but authorities recommend that only medicine prescribed by health workers be taken along with bed rest and consumption of clean water. 

It is also important that a person suspected of having Chikungunya fever must be kept under a treated mosquito net at all times until the fever is over. 

Deputy Health secretary Dr Paison Dakulala said during World Malaria Day last Thursday that the outbreak was first detected in Vanimo, West Sepik, last October.

He said recently cases were also reported in East New Britain and Morobe.