Santa Cruz launches survey to identify breeding sites for dengue, Zika and chikungunya mosquito

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has begun a month-long survey to find where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are breeding across the city. Municipal brigades started work on Tuesday in District 9 and will visit all 15 municipal districts during September.

The teams plan to cover about 1,500 blocks and 3,000 homes. Their goal is to locate areas with high concentrations of breeding sites and larval reservoirs, then use that information to strengthen prevention and control measures where the risk is greatest.

Aedes aegypti can lay eggs in containers that collect water in and around homes, including buckets, tires, bottles, flowerpots and barrels. The mosquito can transmit dengue, chikungunya and Zika once it reaches adulthood.

Health Secretary José Carlos Gutiérrez said families must make the removal of breeding sites a permanent task. Fumigation mainly targets adult mosquitoes and does not eliminate eggs left in containers, making yard cleaning, removal of water-holding objects and frequent washing of containers essential to interrupt reproduction.

Teams from the Department of Pest Control are working from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the field. They will enter homes with owners’ permission to inspect patios and other possible breeding areas. The municipality asked residents to open their doors and cooperate, saying public participation is needed to prevent dengue, Zika and chikungunya.