The Lautoka City Council emphasizes that the local community plays a crucial role in the battle against dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness currently affecting the region. CEO Mohammed Anees Khan highlighted the importance of community involvement as essential to preventing the disease, particularly through simple actions like eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites.
Since January, the council has been actively engaged in an anti-dengue campaign, allocating approximately $200,000 for city-wide initiatives aimed at containing outbreaks. Efforts have included comprehensive cleanup campaigns where 2014 loads of waste, totaling about 1492 tons, were removed to diminish environments conducive to mosquito reproduction.
Khan noted the council’s collaboration with the Health Ministry, which enables targeted anti-mosquito spraying efforts in areas identified as hotspots for dengue transmission. As of early February, there have been 1411 recorded cases in the Western Division, underlining the urgency of these initiatives.
The proactive steps taken by the council, such as regular monitoring through household surveys and sweep campaigns, mirror similar endeavors across Fiji, including Matawalu Village, where hygiene awareness is critical. Collaborations among health authorities and community members aim to create a safer environment while fostering collective responsibility in combating the disease.
Continued public education efforts alongside local cleanup initiatives are vital for controlling dengue fever’s impact in the region. This unified response approach highlights a hopeful outlook for public health, demonstrating that by working together, communities can effectively face health challenges through awareness and action.
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