Belgraders warned to avoid staying outdoors in the evening: West Nile virus mosquitoes have appeared

Photo: Nenad Cakic/JKP Gradska Cistoca

The laboratory of the Sector for Ecology and Environment of the Gradska Cistoca (City Sanitation) public company has detected West Nile virus while testing mosquitoes caught in the territory of the city of Belgrade, and Belgraders are now advised to be extra careful.

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"We plead with our fellow citizens to behave responsibly, to use repellents, mosquito nets and to avoid spending time outdoors during the period of the greatest activity of these insects, which between 7 pm and midnight, when our teams also carry out mosquito control activities. The appearance of West Nile virus was expected, which is why we started the process of deploying airplanes. Unfortunately, our suspicions have come true and that is why we appeal on our fellow citizens to be careful and not to ignore the symptoms, and to be sure to see their doctor if they develop high fever, headache, weakness or a rash in the chest area," said the City Sanitation Director Marko Popadic.

He once again appealed on Belgraders not to interfere with the work of the company's crews and to allow them to suppress mosquitoes, because that is the most important issue at this moment.

"I hope that fellow citizens understand that any obstruction of mosquito control actions endangers the health of all Belgraders," Popadic warned.

The City Sanitation's Sector for Ecology and Environment will continue with the daily monitoring at 24 locations in the territory of Belgrade, while the laboratory will continue to test samples.

Residents of Belgrade can report locations where they notice an increased presence of mosquitoes, every working day from 7 am until 3 pm by calling the toll-free number 0800 000 807 or by emailing the public company at ekologija@gradskacistoca.rs

(Telegraf.rs)