Kandal Province Distributes Insecticide Sprayers to Combat Dengue Fever

Kandal Province, Cambodia, has distributed insecticide sprayers to its 13 municipalities and districts as part of efforts to prevent and combat the spread of dengue fever. The handover ceremony took place on July 29th at the Kandal Provincial Hall, attended by representatives from relevant ministries and departments, municipal and district authorities, students, and members of youth organizations. Kandal Provincial Governor Kuoch Chamroeun stated that dengue fever remains a significant concern, with continuous infections requiring high attention from all stakeholders. Therefore, the provincial administration has provided additional materials and equipment, namely insecticide sprayers, to the 13 municipalities and districts for timely and targeted interventions in their respective areas. The governor instructed the municipal and district administrations to collaborate with the Provincial Department of Health and local authorities to continuously monitor the dengue fever situation. He emphasized the importance of accurately identifying the origin of infected individuals to implement immediate interventions. Furthermore, he advised that upon detecting dengue fever cases in any village, a team should be dispatched to conduct widespread spraying in that village, not just at the patient's residence, as Aedes mosquitoes can transmit the virus to other residents. In addition, Governor Kuoch Chamroeun urged the Provincial Department of Health to arrange for the distribution of abate larvicide to municipalities and districts, enabling them to continuously eliminate larvae and prevent the proliferation of Aedes mosquitoes. This task requires regular implementation and close cooperation between authorities, health officials, and local teams. The governor clarified that the distributed equipment is not intended for comprehensive coverage of entire areas but rather for targeted interventions in regions experiencing dengue fever outbreaks to break the chain of transmission and curb its spread. He stressed that combating dengue fever cannot rely solely on health officials or local authorities; it necessitates the participation of every citizen. Crucially, he advised against waiting until infections occur to take action, advocating instead for proactive prevention to prevent Aedes mosquitoes from breeding and spreading the disease within communities. Governor Kuoch Chamroeun appealed to all families to actively participate in preventing and controlling dengue fever by eliminating stagnant water sources around their homes, including in containers, bottles, old tires, and other objects that can serve as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. He also called upon members of youth organizations to engage in disseminating information, educating, and raising public awareness about dengue fever prevention methods, thereby encouraging every citizen to take initiative and implement preventive measures within their families and communities. Reiterating, the governor stated that dengue fever prevention is a collective effort. Authorities and health officials must intervene promptly in affected areas, while citizens must participate in eliminating mosquito breeding sites around their residences. He expressed confidence that if all parties diligently implement these measures, it will significantly contribute to reducing and effectively controlling the spread of dengue fever in Kandal Province. Each municipality and district will receive one large-scale and two small-scale insecticide sprayers for their use in preventive and control interventions against dengue fever.