Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a concerted effort to curb the rising cases of dengue fever in Puerto Vallarta, state and municipal authorities have jointly decided to remove all vehicle tires from the urban area. This measure aims to eliminate potential breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for dengue transmission.
Jaime Álvarez Zayas, Director of the Eighth Health Region of the Jalisco Health Secretariat, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “The goal is to remove all tires from the urban area of Puerto Vallarta to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” Álvarez Zayas stated. He explained that this task would be executed in collaboration with various municipal government agencies to ensure comprehensive coverage and effectiveness.
Álvarez Zayas highlighted the ongoing agreements and efforts coordinated within the Municipal Health Council. “We continue to reinforce efforts and work that are directed towards the massive elimination of breeding sites, known as descacharrización,” he noted. This refers to the systematic removal of objects and waste that can collect water and become mosquito breeding sites.
In addition to physical removal, the campaign includes a robust communication strategy supported by the City Council and local media. This strategy aims to educate and alert the public about preventive measures, including the “lava, tapa, tiene, y volean” approach, which encourages residents to wash, cover, turn, and throw away containers that can hold stagnant water in their homes.
However, Álvarez Zayas also pointed out challenges faced by the health brigades in accessing certain homes for inspection and removal of potential breeding sites. “They should also allow the campaigns to come in and do their work,” he urged, noting that in about half of the homes, brigades have been unable to gain entry due to various reasons, including the absence of residents or outright refusal.
“Because there is no one at home and in other houses, they definitely do not say no, no, they do not allow and do not agree to the work being done,” he elaborated.
According to the epidemiological report for week 28, spanning from July 7 to 13, Puerto Vallarta has confirmed 127 cases of dengue. This underscores the urgency of the tire removal initiative and other preventive measures being implemented to control the spread of the disease.
The collaborative efforts between state and municipal authorities, combined with active public participation, are crucial in the fight against dengue. Residents are encouraged to cooperate with health brigades and adhere to recommended preventive practices to ensure the success of these initiatives and safeguard public health in Puerto Vallarta.
