Residents of Wards 9 and 24 in Winterveld have raised a complaint with the municipality regarding a mosquito infestation.
Due to the sudden increase in mosquito population in those areas, residents have experienced sleepless nights and they asked for mosquito control experts within the municipality to assist in the elimination of mosquito nests.
The municipal health services department said that they had investigated the matter and tried to determine the extent of the infestation.
“As part of the intervention measures, the Health Department is exploring a pesticide programme which could include fogging adult insects and spraying to eliminate larvae, said Cllr Riana Marx the MMC for Health in Tshwane. She continued to say the intervention would also include an environmental clean-up campaign.
They sampled the insects found around the area to see what species they deal with. Their investigation revealed that mosquitos do not carry disease but can cause skin irritation.
“The Health Department is further engaging with various stakeholders such as the Environment and Agriculture Management Department, Gauteng Department of Health, adjoining municipalities and entomologists from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to seek a long-term solution”, added Marx
Marx further said that the health department encourages residents to use natural mosquito repellents such as citronella, as well as to wear clothes that cover the ankles and arms, and to refrain from illegal dumping.
“Parents and caregivers must ensure that children do not play in swampy wetlands spaces to remain safe,” Marx added.
