The Regional Health Directorate (Diresa) Ucayali announced on March 14 that it has removed a total of 133.7 tons of potential mosquito breeding sites in eight districts as part of ongoing efforts to combat the spread of dengue in the region. The actions are being carried out under the “Plan de Prevención y Control del Dengue 2026” presented by the Ministry of Health.
This initiative is significant because dengue, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, poses a serious public health risk. Removing breeding sites helps reduce the population of mosquitoes and lowers the risk of disease transmission among residents.
The campaigns targeted districts including Raimondi, Calleria, Manantay, Monte Alegre, Yarinacocha, Campo Verde, Padre Abad, and Alexander Von Humbolt. Among these, Raimondi saw the largest amount removed with 224.1 tons. Items such as coconut shells, bottles, tires, old pots, toys, and other unused containers that can collect rainwater were identified and eliminated as potential breeding grounds.
Health network staff from Aguaytia – San Alejandro, Atalaya, Coronel Portillo and Federico Basadre also educated residents on how to identify and eliminate possible breeding sites at home. They provided guidance on washing, scrubbing and covering water storage containers to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
Dengue symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes and skin rashes. Warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding symptoms or general weakness require immediate medical attention. The Ministry of Health advises against self-medicating and recommends staying hydrated and seeking prompt care at a nearby health facility for proper recovery.
