The Nicosia District is overrun with mosquitoes, with breeding sites found in various areas, causing concern among residents.
Following the recent rainfall, the resulting conditions are conducive to the growth and proliferation of mosquitoes, prompting the Nicosia Municipality to intensify its efforts to prevent and combat the problem.
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Specifically, the Municipality of Nicosia announced that efforts have been stepped up in areas where mosquito breeding sites have been identified or where residents have filed complaints. Work is being carried out daily, even on weekends, using appropriate and approved pesticides, as part of measures to mitigate the problem.
READ ALSO: Why Nicosia Is Overrun with Mosquitoes: Where Breeding Sites Are Located and Where Spraying Has Taken Place
Intensive control efforts are underway along the channels of the Klimou, Kateva, and Kotsirka rivers, as well as at the grates of the enclosed sections of the rivers where breeding sites have been identified. Interventions are also being carried out in storm drains and other areas where stagnant water accumulates.
Particular emphasis has been placed on the Engomi area. Among other places, interventions have been carried out in the Klimou area, from the Lakatamia border to Agios Dometios, at locations near the cemetery and the State Fairgrounds, as well as in the open canal along Iroon Street. Work and inspections have also been carried out on the grates along the Klimou pedestrian walkway and in the area of 28th of October Avenue.
READ ALSO: Mosquito Outbreak: The Nicosia Municipality Is Focusing Its Intensive Efforts on These Areas
At the same time, the Municipality’s relevant departments are systematically inspecting recorded potential mosquito breeding sites, such as homes with abandoned swimming pools, elevator shafts in buildings, open canals, and other areas where standing water may accumulate. At the same time, all complaints submitted by residents are investigated. When investigating each complaint, the relevant departments do not limit their efforts to the residence or location reported, but also proactively inspect neighboring properties to identify potential breeding sites.
For its part, the Municipality of Strovolos has intensified its efforts to prevent and control mosquitoes, as part of its support for the work being carried out under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health’s Public Health Services.
The Municipality’s relevant departments are conducting systematic inspections and targeted interventions exclusively in public areas, such as ditches, manholes, storm drains, ditches, and other areas where standing water may accumulate. Particular attention is given to areas identified as potential mosquito breeding grounds, including the Parisinos area, the area near Dimitris Christofias Avenue, in areas within the Kalogirou River and the GSP Stadium, as well as other locations where conditions favorable for mosquito breeding may arise.
READ ALSO: Strovolos Also on “Red Alert” Due to Mosquito Surge: Where Infestation Hotspots Were Identified
At the same time, potential breeding sites have been identified in certain buildings under construction and in private swimming pools that are not being properly maintained. In these cases, the responsibility for eliminating the breeding sites and taking the necessary measures lies with the owners or managers of the properties.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away and What to Watch Out For
A surge in infected mosquitoes, as well as other insect species, is observed in areas with lakes and, more generally, stagnant water, as these conditions favor their growth and reproduction.
Increased breeding sites are also found in cemeteries. Health authorities recommend that citizens opt for artificial flowers or, if using fresh flowers, to place soil in the vases to prevent water from accumulating and remaining there for long periods of time.
Similar care is needed in the outdoor areas of homes. Do not allow water to accumulate in flowerpots, containers, or other objects, as even small amounts of standing water can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
It is also important to prevent the grass from growing too long, as increased moisture creates favorable conditions for insects to thrive and hide.
SEE ALSO: Mosquito Surge: How to Keep Them Away and What to Watch Out For
To protect the interior of homes, installing screens on doors and windows is helpful, and insect repellents can also be used.
At the same time, abandoned swimming pools are a particular cause for concern, as they can become major breeding grounds. Pool owners are urged to ensure their pools are cleaned and properly maintained so as not to create conditions that favor mosquito breeding.
Another problem is posed by car tires left abandoned in various locations, as they can hold water and serve as breeding grounds. The Department of the Environment is working to collect them, while the Health Services recommend, where this is not immediately feasible, spraying or puncturing the tires to prevent water from accumulating.
What Causes a Mosquito Bite and When to Be Concerned
Dermatologist Dr. Nicole Sakka explained to AlphaNews.Live exactly what happens to our skin when a mosquito bites us and when we should be concerned. So when a mosquito bites us, our body automatically reacts and tries to mount an immune response. To do this, it activates a “mechanism” to ensure that there are no germs at the site. If it detects a microbe, it tries to eliminate it—which is part of the body’s self-defense mechanism. In fact, there are cases in which the reaction to a mosquito bite may not appear until two or three days later, with symptoms gradually becoming more severe.
For most people, a mosquito bite causes local irritation, including redness, swelling, and itching—symptoms that usually subside within a few days.
“Mosquito bites are very common, especially during the summer months. Of course, for some people, the reaction to a bite can be a bit more severe, particularly among children. In these cases, the redness and swelling may be more pronounced and may also be accompanied by warmth around the bite site.”
READ ALSO: Did a mosquito bite you? What causes it, how to prevent it, and when to be concerned
In most cases, however, the symptoms gradually subside within a few days. It should be noted that there are different mosquito populations and subpopulations, some of which can transmit diseases that may be life-threatening to humans.
The question that arises is when a bite should cause concern. According to Dr. Sakka, when the reaction is not limited to the usual symptoms of local irritation, such as redness, dryness, and itching, but presents with different or more severe symptoms, you should seek medical advice. This will help determine whether it is a life-threatening condition rather than the simple, common symptoms caused by a mosquito bite.
In particular, if the patient begins to exhibit generalized symptoms such as:
- Fever.
- General malaise/weakness.
- Drowsiness.
- Muscle aches.
- Joint pain.
- Severe headache.
- Blurred vision or double vision.
To relieve the symptoms of a bug bite, soothing creams containing calamine or aloe vera can be used; these provide a cooling sensation and relieve redness, swelling, and itching.
In cases of multiple bites, when symptoms are more severe or widespread, the use of prescription medications may be necessary, always following a doctor’s recommendation. For example, a topical cortisone cream or another antihistamine cream may be used to help relieve symptoms until they subside.
