The Ministry of Health in Peru called on families on April 19 to spend just ten minutes each week inspecting their homes and removing containers that could collect water, as part of efforts to stop the spread of mosquitoes that transmit dengue. The ministry recommends using its self-assessment guide, “10 minutos contra el dengue,” which is available for free download.
This advice comes as health officials warn that any object or container capable of holding water—whether from rain or improper use—can become a breeding site for mosquitoes. Common places where mosquitoes lay eggs include vases, tanks, buckets, aquatic plants, pet water bowls, untreated pools, refrigerator trays, flowerpot bases, bottles, tires, cans, toys and even small items like bottle caps or coconut shells.
Once these potential breeding sites are found in the home, the ministry said they should be eliminated immediately or cleaned thoroughly if they need to be kept. For vases specifically, it is suggested to replace water with moist sand or floral foam. Water storage containers should always be kept clean and tightly covered.
According to the National Institute of Health (INS), higher temperatures can speed up the mosquito life cycle from egg to adult. Normally this process takes between 12 and 14 days but can shorten to as little as five days when it is warmer. A single female mosquito may lay between 50 and 200 eggs at a time across different containers and repeat this process several times during her life span—potentially leading to over a thousand new mosquitoes within about six weeks.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that preventing and controlling dengue requires everyone’s participation through consistent small actions at home. To assist with questions about dengue prevention or symptoms, residents can call the free helpline Linea 113 (option 1), contact WhatsApp numbers 952842623 or 955557000 via Telegram apps—or email inforsalud@minsa.gob.pe.
