The city of Niamey, the capital of Niger, launched a mosquito control campaign starting Monday, September 9, aimed at reducing the propagation of mosquitoes, which are the primary vectors of malaria, the municipal authorities announced in a statement.
The disease thrives in unsanitary and stagnant areas, the statement clarified.
To counter this threat, the city’s delegated administrator encourages citizens to take the necessary precautions, including “protecting their food supplies and drinks during the work of the teams.”
It is important to note that malaria is prevalent in Niger year-round, both in rural and urban areas. It is also one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country, particularly among children under the age of five and pregnant women, according to officials.
In 2022, the country recorded 5.3 million cases of malaria, resulting in 5,678 deaths, as reported by Nigerien Minister of Public Health Garba Hakimi on the occasion of World Malaria Day.
