MAKKAH: Three Bangladeshi workers in the Al-Moaisem area of Makkah have caught dengue fever. One of them is in critical condition. Residents of the area are now blaming officials for not doing enough to combat mosquitoes that carry the illness.
Nawar Al-Qurashi, a Saudi, attributed the spread of the disease to the absence of a sewage system. He said this results in stagnant water, which causes mosquitoes to thrive.
“I have contacted the municipality many times regarding the problem in our area, but they have not been responsive. I cannot sleep with my window open because I fear the mosquitoes would harm my kids and spread dengue. I threatened them to raise the issue in the press if they did not act, but they told me to do what I want,” added Al-Qurashi.
Muhammad Afdal, another local Saudi, said he was surprised when he was diagnosed with the disease after his temperature went up. “The residents in this place are suffering from mosquitoes. We can’t go outside or leave the windows open at night,” he added.
Muhammad Shamsulhaq, a Pakistani, said the solution lies in small planes spraying the entire area with pesticide.
Abdul Salam Mashat, deputy mayor of Makkah, told Arab News that the Makkah Municipality has intensified its operations to combat insects.
According to press reports, there were 84 cases of dengue fever in Jeddah in the past four weeks. Health officials said the number of mosquitoes that carry the fever have increased, particularly in the underdeveloped areas of Jeddah. because of a rise in stagnant water and construction in the city.
