PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO. – Efforts to prevent the spread of dengue in Puerto Vallarta continue, as city authorities work to eliminate potential breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the carrier of the dengue virus. According to the Jalisco Ministry of Health, local cleanup programs last year removed 1,886 tons of junk from homes and public spaces, materials that often become mosquito breeding grounds. Despite these efforts, dengue claimed three lives in Puerto Vallarta in the same period and infected 827 others.
City officials have also targeted abandoned tires, which can collect stagnant water and provide ideal spots for mosquito larvae. A total of 11,187 tires were removed from the city in 2024, and in the first two months of this year alone, authorities have already collected 379 additional tons of junk and 3,127 tires.
Jaime Álvarez Zayas, head of the Eighth Health Region of the Jalisco Health Secretariat (SSJ), emphasized that removing junk is a more effective long-term measure than fumigation. “Cleaning up these potential breeding sites is key,” he explained. “It addresses the issue at the root, rather than just attacking the mosquitoes after they have already bred.”
Despite the surge in cases, health officials face a significant challenge gaining access to residential properties. “We are calling on the population to allow us to enter homes,” Álvarez Zayas said. “Our brigade members are properly identified with an official badge and vest, but we are not allowed to enter almost 50 percent of the houses. Two homes harboring mosquitoes can affect an entire block, so collaboration is crucial.”
Álvarez Zayas also noted that eight out of ten current dengue cases present warning signs, underscoring the importance of taking preventive measures seriously. Public cooperation can help stop the disease from spreading and reduce the risks of severe complications.
In the coming weeks, the SSJ will continue its junk removal campaigns and public outreach. Authorities urge residents to dispose of items that collect water—especially tires and discarded containers—and to allow certified health workers onto their properties for inspections. With concerted efforts by both local government and the community, Puerto Vallarta aims to lower its dengue rate and protect the health of its citizens.
