Malé City Council Finds Mosquito Breeding Grounds in 27 Homes

A targeted inspection of 1,651 locations across the capital last month revealed mosquito breeding risks at 606 sites, with larvae discovered in 27 homes. The Male' City Council treated 157 problematic locations and fogged nine streets as health authorities report a sharp rise in vector-borne diseases. HPA data indicates dengue cases in the first four months surpassed the total logged for the entirety of last year.

Male' City Council Inspection Uncovers Mosquito Breeding Sites in 27 Capital Homes Amid Rising Dengue Surge

A targeted vector-control operation conducted across Male' last month revealed mosquito breeding conditions in over 600 locations, with active larvae identified in 27 residential homes, Male' City Council disclosed today.

Statistics released by the council's Pest Control Unit show that inspectors examined 1,651 properties and locations throughout the past month. The checks identified 606 locations with conditions conducive to mosquito breeding. In total, larvae were detected at 35 premises, including 27 private residences. Council teams applied chemical treatment to 157 high-risk sites, while conducting targeted fogging operations across four city blocks and nine streets.

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim urged all residents to take proactive measures to prevent standing water accumulation on their properties, reassuring the public that council operations to curb mosquito populations will continue uninterrupted across the capital region.

The municipal intervention comes amid a sharp spike in vector-borne illnesses recorded across the country. According to Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures, over 2,000 dengue cases were reported in the first four months of the year alone—a total already exceeding the cumulative figure logged for the entire previous year. HPA noted that the current outbreak is most severe in Kulhudhuffushi City, the Male' area, Raa Atoll, and Alif Alif Atoll, alongside a steady rise in chikungunya cases since early May.

Health authorities emphasize that seasonal weather shifts, high humidity, and rainfall significantly accelerate the breeding cycles of the Aedes mosquito, which lays eggs in small, clean reservoirs of standing water such as potted plant trays, discarded containers, and plastic caps. Health officials continue to urge the public to regularly eliminate potential breeding sites, wear protective clothing, and apply repellents to break the transmission cycle.