2023-11-14 15:17:32
The Brazilian climate has been impacted by the El Niño phenomenon since July this year, bringing extreme drought to states in the north and northeast of the country and torrential rains to the south and southeast. A forecast for the beginning of 2024, carried out by the Satellite Image Analysis and Processing Laboratory (Lapis), indicates that the expansion of El Niño across the Tropical Pacific should cause a summer of high temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching an average of 4º C above normal.
In addition to all the damage in the city, such as falling trees, interruption of electricity and water supply, excessive rain – when combined with summer temperatures – also contributed to the reproduction of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika. To contain the increase in cases in the city, public authorities and the population must work together on prevention. According to the São Paulo city hall website, the only way to prevent dengue fever is to combat mosquitoes combined with maintaining homes, which must always be clean and without water accumulation in open spaces.
In Rio de Janeiro, the numbers in the capital of Rio de Janeiro they also attract attention, with 18,120 cases of dengue having already been registered, with a rate of 267 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants. It is the highest annual record since 2016. Therefore, the Ministry of Health insists on raising awareness among the Brazilian population regarding the dangers of the insect and the importance of combating mosquito breeding sites.
One of main recommendations This is for citizens to inspect and frequently clean their homes, not leaving standing water in tires, plant pots, gutters, bottles, water tanks or other containers that facilitate the accumulation of rainwater and contribute to the reproduction of mosquito. Keeping trash bins well covered, drains clean, and using stretched tarps to cover construction materials are other precautions to prevent water accumulation.
One study conducted by the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP) revealed that the use of bleach (2.5% sodium hypochlorite) is 100% effective in eliminating larvae of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Simply dilute 10 ml of bleach in a liter of running water and wipe it over the floor and surfaces that attract flies and mosquitoes to eliminate all deposited larvae within 24 hours, preventing their spread.
According to João César de Freitas, commercial director of Katrium Chemical Industries, exclusive supplier of chlorine used in water treatment in the State of Rio de Janeiro, “the use of bleach is an important asset in preventing diseases that intensify with summer rains and should be more publicized, especially in communities with high population density – where a single mosquito can claim several victims.” Freitas says that, in addition to helping to prevent the population from diseases caused by Aedes aegypti, the use of bleach also prevents leptospirosis – a disease transmitted through direct or indirect exposure to animal urine, especially rats.
“The solution in the proportion of one capful of bleach to one liter of water should be part of the daily cleaning routine in all homes, especially in environments such as kitchens and bathrooms”, says the Katrium executive. “To reinforce cleaning in homes, this solution can also be used to water plants (since in this proportion it is harmless to the environment), countertops, bar tables, etc. This habit should be extended permanently, as it is so important to maintain hygiene in homes, schools, clubs, health institutions and all businesses focused on public service.”
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