In Paysandu, the flooding that evacuated thousands of people from their homes are still discussed. Now, sanduceros must face heat, the spread of vulgar or Culex mosquito and, more importantly, the appearance, department throughout, of the larvae of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits dengue.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae spread throughout the city of Paysandu. As in the whole territory, residents mistakenly believe that the solution is spraying, as explained by the departmental director of Epidemiology, Olga Rodriguez. "We see that for some reason they are not fully aware that the mosquito breeds in our homes, in our vases, in our pot or saucer of water for the birds," he said.

Once detected an outbreak of Aedes aegypti, division officials of Hygiene Inspectorate attend the scene and - in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health - fumigation takes place in a 300 meters radius from where the vector is found.

Rodriguez added that after 20 days, the officials will go back to the home where they found the larvae for a new inspection. If they are again found, the owners of the place will be asked to take the necessary measures to eliminate the risk.

"The larvae that are in the water are not affected. If we make the massive spraying wiped out by a week, but the next day we have the explosion of a new breed, we are in the same initial situation," she concluded.

(www.elpais.com.uy and www.180.com.uy, 8 January 2010)