UAE steps up anti-mosquito measures after heavy rain

Fogging takes place in communities to kill off pests

The UAE is intensifying anti-mosquito measures following recent heavy rain. Photo: Pixabay

Emergency teams have stepped up measures to control mosquito populations in UAE hotspots to limit the spread of diseases the insects carry.

Standing water and collection areas remain after two recent storms that caused widespread flooding and disruption across the country.

Recovery teams have been working almost continuously since then to remove floodwater, pumping it away from residential areas.

The third phase of the UAE’s anti-mosquito campaign is now under way, led by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in partnership with the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

Working alongside municipalities and other government departments, the authority is increasing thermal fogging to kill-off mosquitoes and their larva, as well as pumping out water from flooded-areas.

“Efforts to combat mosquitoes represent one of our most important goals during this period,” said Alia Al Harmoudi, assistant undersecretary for the sustainable communities sector at the ministry, in a social media post.

“The ministry will work during the coming period to provide all information, guidance, and means of support to the community and help limit the spread of mosquitoes.”

The ministry said the mosquito control campaign was being intensified following high levels of rainfall, which it said contributes to an increase in “the spread of mosquitoes in water pools and wet places”.

A private company sprays insecticide in order to control the number or mosquitos at a resort in Dubai on April 26. Photo: AFP

The UAE experienced its largest single day of rainfall since records began in 1949 on Tuesday, April 16.

Data from the National Centre of Meteorology showed a 254mm of rain fell in one area of Al Ain alone in a 24-hour period – the equivalent of about two years' worth of average rainfall in the UAE.

The country was hit by more heavy rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, though the adverse weather was less severe than that felt last month.

UAE hit by heavy rain – in pictures

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  Stormy skies over a building site in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Passengers at the Terminal 1 departure area at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai.

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  The aftermath of the deluge, in residential Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Pumping water off Dubai's roads following the downpour. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young scooter rider makes the most of a break in the rain in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Grabbing a chance for a walk during a respite from the rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A pedestrian braves the rain in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A flooded section of road marked off in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young pupil focuses on his online lessons, after schools switched to remote learning due to the weather. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Stormy skies after the heavy rain and strong winds, in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A person seeks shelter under an umbrella during the rain in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Vehicles drive through wet roads around the Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Flooded streets around Discovery Gardens after heavy rain in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Rain clouds over Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Vehicles navigate a flooded road around the Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A fence surrounding a construction site toppled over because of heavy winds and rain in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Waterlogged streets around the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Sandbags utilised at a residential building in Dubai to safeguard the basement parking from water infiltration. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A car drives through a flooded road in central Abu Dhabi as a thunderstorm hit the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

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  Sandbags used in one of the residential building to block rain water going in the basement parking in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Workers clear fallen trees along the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National

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  Sandbags strategically placed for flood prevention in the capital. Victor Besa / The National

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  Ducks enjoying the weather along the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National

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  Abu Dhabi commuters get caught in the rain. Victor Besa / The National

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  A vehicle drives through a puddle. Victor Besa / The National

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  Construction barricades blown over by strong winds at Khalifa City. Victor Besa / The National

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  Damage caused by high winds. Victor Besa / The National

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  Clouds over Reem Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  Early morning commuters. Victor Besa / The National

In recent months, hospitals in Dubai have reported an increase in cases of dengue fever, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

While cases remain rare, the most common symptoms are a high fever of 39ºC to 40ºC, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, mild nosebleeds and a skin rash.

Pregnant women, the young and elderly, or those with existing health problems, are more likely to suffer worse symptoms.

Pest controllers prevent the spread of mosquitoes by eliminating breeding sources, such as stagnant water and by installing smart-traps in communities that draw mosquitoes in by using CO2 and a chemical that replicates human scent.

Muhammad Manqoosh, MD from Nagina Cleaning & Pest Control LLC, said the number of call-outs for mosquito problems had increased considerably.

“There has been a rise in mosquito complaints over the last five days,” he said.

“There is a regular requirement of thermal fogging, but the biggest change has been an increase in our services from commercial clients, such as in warehouses, factories and offices, as well as the villa communities.”