Endemic agents from the Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) are visiting homes in the capital of Bahia, to conduct the rapid survey of the Aedes aegypti (LIRAa) outbreak, for the first cycle of 2023. The visits began last Monday and will continue until Friday. (6).
During the course, agents must visit approximately 40,000 properties throughout the city, mapped in advance, perform inspections, descale and treat them with larvicides, and also collect samples of mosquito larvae, which will be analyzed in the laboratory of the CCZ.
According to the Sub-Coordinator of Arthropod Viruses in El Salvador, Cristina Guimarães, visits help prevent viral circulation caused by mosquito spread. Christina explained that “the result of each survey aims to guide vector control actions, identifying the areas where the largest number of Aedes aegypti are found, in order to contribute to communication and mobilization activities, which prevent the insect from multiplying.”
Rapid Survey of Aedes aegypti Infection (LIRAa) is an activity that allows rapid knowledge, by sampling, of how many characteristics have vessels containing larvae of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits the arboviruses that cause dengue, Zika and chikungunya, indicating which species Breeding sites most commonly used by female mosquitoes to lay eggs. The study takes place four times a year, in a period of three months (January, April, July and October).
The SMS stresses the importance of families inspecting their properties and backyards at least once a week, to check for things where water could be accumulating. Selected items must be removed and disposed of in plastic bags, for selective collection, or for collection by garbage truck. By working weekly, it is possible to prevent mosquito eggs and larvae from reaching adulthood, thus limiting the transmission of diseases caused by Aedes.
