Lautoka City fights dengue spread

The Lautoka City Council (LCC) is ramping up efforts to combat the ongoing dengue outbreak through widespread clean-up campaigns and coordinated mosquito control measures.

Council chief executive officer Mohammed Anees Khan said the outbreak had been a serious concern, prompting proactive measures ahead of the rainy season.

“In the last two months, the clean-up campaign has removed 2014 truckloads of waste, amounting to 1492 tonnes, which have been disposed of at the landfill site,” Mr Khan said.

Alongside the clean-up, LCC has implemented anti-mosquito spraying in high-risk areas, including Namoli Village, Andhra Street, Mutlah Street, Berar Place, Fultala Place, Field 40 un-subdivided, Pompey and Oriana Place, Captain Withers Street, and Jinnu Road.

“While mosquito spraying kills adult mosquitoes, it’s a temporary solution. Breeding sites must be eliminated to stop the mosquito population from growing,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of community involvement, urging residents to utilise the council’s user-pay refuse collection service.

The council continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health, which provides regular updates on confirmed dengue cases and hot spot areas.

The public is reminded that breeding mosquitoes is an offence under Section 109 of the Public Health Act Cap 111 and offenders may face legal action.

LCC also issued a list of preventative measures, including destroying water-retaining containers, covering water storage, trimming overgrown grass, and guarding against mosquito bites by using nets, repellents, and coils.

Meanwhile, the Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association (LRRA) has called on the council to offer free clean-up services.

LRRA president Narayan Reddy offered to donate 20 litres of mosquito spraying chemical.

Residents experiencing symptoms such as fever, headaches, joint pain, or rashes are urged to seek medical attention immediately.

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