UAE residents are being urged to report mosquito sightings and potential breeding sites as authorities step up efforts to eliminate the flies. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has seen an increase in the number of mosquito sighting reports it gets, especially after heavy rains in mid-April and the first week of May, a top official told Khaleej Times. Othaibah Saeed Al Qaydi, director of Municipal Affairs Department at the ministry, attributed the increase to the changing climate and weather conditions. With climate change altering the distribution and behavior of mosquitoes, changes in precipitation patterns can create new breeding habitats, while warmer temperatures can extend the mosquito breeding season.
Mosquitoes thrive in warm and humid environments, and over the last few months, the UAE has experienced a mild wet season, which has led to an increase in mosquito populations. Areas with stagnant water such as ponds, puddles, or improperly drained flowerpots can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Urbanization can also create new habitats for mosquitoes, as urban environments with green spaces and water sources tend to support large mosquito populations.
To stay safe, residents are advised to report areas with stagnant water that have been left unattended for some time and areas with high mosquito proliferation. They can significantly reduce the risk of mosquito bites and potential transmission of mosquito-borne diseases by taking appropriate measures, such as avoiding water accumulation in residential and office areas, using mosquito repellents, and wearing protective clothing that covers their arms and legs. Installing anti-mosquito screens, nets, and traps, as well as maintaining gardens and yards by cleaning them regularly and avoiding water accumulation, can also help.
The ministry has called on all community members to participate in mosquito control efforts by eliminating areas of standing water around their homes and not allowing rainwater to collect in containers and pots left outside without covers. It is important to repair water leaks, monitor private swimming pools regularly, and eliminate stagnant water from irrigation basins, swimming pools, and fountains. Using technology such as GIS mapping, sensors, predictive modeling, big data analytics, satellite imagery, and drones can help identify mosquito breeding sites, assess environmental factors influencing spread, and track mosquito movement in real-time.
The materials used in the ministry’s mosquito control campaign are not harmful to humans or animals. The UAE uses silicone films, biological control, and physical methods to eliminate mosquito larvae, as well as thermal foggers, misting machines, and ULV sprayers to target adult mosquitoes without causing harm. The first phase of the UAE’s anti-mosquito campaign was launched in February 2022 and will continue until May 2025, with a focus on eliminating mosquito breeding hotspots created by recent heavy rains in the country.
Residents can identify stagnant water bodies that can become mosquito hotspots by looking out for small pools of water in discarded tires, cans, or flowerpots, uncovered containers such as barrels, buckets, and pots, ponds, marshes, swamps, lakes, construction sites, uncovered septic tanks, unused swimming pools, decorative ponds, fountains, clogged storm drains, blocked gutters, and improperly maintained drainage ditches. By taking proactive measures and reporting potential breeding sites, residents can help in the efforts to control mosquito populations and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the UAE.
