Municipal Authority to Fight Mosquito Swarms

By Soy Sophea

Phnom Penh municipal health officers say they are ready to fight against the unusual swarms of mosquitoes after complaints received by Phnom Penh residents.

Veng Thay, Director of the Municipal Health Department, said his workers have received money from the city hall to buy pesticides to eradicate the insects.

“We have started fighting mosquitoes in Phnom Penh, even though their bites will not cause malaria or dengue fever,” Veng Thay said during an interview with the Cambodia Weekly on February 12.

The Director noted that mosquitoes appear every year at this time until the start of the rainy season in May. However, he urged Phnom Penh residents to take precautions against the usual swarms of this year.

“People should use a mosquito spray at home and sleep under nets, paying particular care for the wellbeing of any infants,” he said.

Sen Navy, 35, a Phnom Penh resident, has rarely slept under a net because she uses mosquito sprays to kill the insects. But her behavior has changed in recent days following the increase of mosquitoes at her home in Tuol Sangke commune, Russei Keo district in Phnom Penh.

“I am afraid of mosquitoes biting my children,” said Navy. “I let my children sleep under nets, otherwise they will get dengue fever,” she added.

Another 21-year-old Song Poleak said that she was very concerned when she saw swarms of mosquitoes while she and a friend were talking to each other in a public park.

“There are more mosquitoes than I have ever seen,” she said. “Although I spray them at home,” she said. “I kill a hundred but another hundred arrive to take their place,” she added.

She urged relevant authorities to take action to kill mosquitoes as soon as possible. At a cost of $20, 000 she believes the Municipality’s campaign against the pest will be successful.