The Antofagasta Regional Ministerial Secretariat (Seremi) of Health confirmed a new discovery of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the capital of the Antofagasta Region. This brings the city's total to 20 detected hotspots.
According to Cooperativa, a resident found the specimen in his backyard, near the Centenario Sports Complex. Most discoveries of this species, which is black with white markings, have been concentrated in that area.
The resident kept the insect in a jar and handed it to Secretariat officials who were fumigating in the area. Regional Health Secretary Rodrigo Medina praised his cooperation. According to T13, the report allowed authorities to identify the new hotspot and activate health measures.
Aedes aegypti can transmit diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Neither source reports cases of these diseases in Antofagasta.
Following the discovery, health teams inspected homes and carried out insect control within a 100-meter radius of the discovery site. T13 reported that the operation began on Friday, October 9 and aims to curb mosquito breeding in areas where other hotspots have already been detected.
Medina asked residents to check their homes, remove unused containers that collect water and keep drums and buckets used to store water covered. He also reminded them to keep fish tanks and pets' water bowls clean.
The Ministry of Health recommends eliminating potential breeding sites inside homes to reduce mosquito breeding. The Secretariat has not reported how long the operation will last or whether it will expand the inspection area.
