KIGALI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Rwandan authorities on Thursday stepped up efforts to control malaria by launching anti-malaria pesticide larviciding and spatial spraying for destroying mosquito larvae, especially in marshlands across the country.
The campaign to fight malaria was launched by the Rwandan ministry of health in partnership with the ministry of defence in Kamonyi district, Southern Province.
The initiative will use affordable products made by Rwandan anti-malaria pestcides to kill mosquitoes in their breeding sites, most especially in the marshlands, said Rwandan health minister Diane Gashumba.
"We are encouraging every Rwandan to sleep inside treated mosquito nets and intensify malaria fight efforts by using anti-malaria pesticide to spray breeding sites before mosquitoes attack their homes," Gashumba said.
She emphasized that domestic hygiene through clearing bushes and stagnant water that can favor mosquito breeding, and seeking early treatment will play a vital role in eliminating malaria in the country.
According to the ministry of health, the campaign to destroy mosquito breeding sites by using anti-malaria pesticides especially in marshlands will cut across the country.
Malaria deaths dropped from about 490 in 2016 to 300 in 2017, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Center. Enditem
