Stop Dengue: Clean Yards Save Lives

Puerto Aventuras, MX — Municipal Health authorities have confirmed a new case of dengue in the delegation of Puerto Aventuras during epidemiological week number 42, prompting a reinforcement of debris removal and control measures for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

The municipal Secretary of Health, José Uribe Trujillo, reported that in recent weeks a decrease in the progression of cases has been observed in the locality, as weeks with up to four sick people had previously been reported.

“Currently we have one confirmed case in Puerto Aventuras, whereas two weeks ago we had between three and four; there are no alarming data at the moment,” he stated.

He explained that the most recent case in Puerto Aventuras allowed for the updating of the “heat map,” which indicates areas with the presence of the dengue-transmitting vector. This activated a nebulization strategy in specific points of the municipality.

However, he maintained that this technique only contributes 30 percent to mosquito control, while 70 percent of prevention depends on the elimination of breeding sites in homes.

“Nebulizing is useless if we continue to have tires, containers, or objects where water accumulates; success lies in debris removal,” emphasized Uribe Trujillo, stressing that citizen participation is essential to prevent new outbreaks.

He mentioned that currently, between two and three debris removal brigades remain in permanent operation, both in Playa del Carmen and in Puerto Aventuras, where clandestine dumpsites that favor mosquito proliferation have also been detected. These tasks are carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Public Services, he added.

The official recalled that nebulization, although useful for eliminating adult mosquitoes, also affects beneficial species such as butterflies, bees, caterpillars, and ants, and therefore should be applied with caution and only as a complementary measure.

Finally, he reiterated the call to citizens to maintain clean yards, eliminate debris, and avoid water accumulations to prevent the spread of the mosquito and, with it, dengue in the municipality.