Housing Ministry, MACI establish task force to control mosquitoes

Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and Maldives Association of Construction Industry (MACI) have established a task force to take action to control mosquitoes.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry today, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu said that the task force, which consists of six members, was assembled following the government’s decision to take broad action to destroy mosquito habitats.

He said that efforts have begun to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds including stagnant water at construction sites.

- Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a press conference on Wednesday, 1 July 2015 – Sun photo: Yoosuf Sofwan-

Dr Muizzu said that to increase awareness among foreign workers on this issue, signs will be put up in their local languages at construction sites.

President of MACI Mohamed Ali Janah said that MACI will fully cooperate with the government’s efforts to control mosquitoes.

To that effect, Jinah said that a circular was issued yesterday to clean construction sites and take action to destroy mosquito habitats.

He added that many people already do follow effective procedures to prevent mosquito breeding.

Earlier today, Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 30 June 2015, 384 cases of dengue fever had been reported from across the country.

The number of cases in Malé stood at 122, and the death of a five-year-old girl brought the death toll from dengue fever to three yesterday .