Tozeur: Municipalities Intensify Efforts to Combat Mosquitoes in Preparation for Summer

The municipalities of Tozeur have outlined their intervention programs for the summer season, focusing on launching mosquito control campaigns and scheduled clean-up operations in the coming weeks. These efforts seek to ensure a clean and insect-free environment, particularly as summer in the region is typically characterized by high temperatures and increased mosquito activity, which often spreads from oases to residential areas.

The Nefta Municipality started its mosquito control efforts in early February, targeting flying insects and larvae in their growth phase, according to Municipal Secretary General Rachid Nasr. The municipality has been using chemical treatments in mosquito breeding grounds in coordination with the Public Health and Environmental Protection Department and the Regional Agricultural Development Delegation.

The spraying operations have primarily focused on oases and stagnant rainwater pools, with plans to expand coverage to all scheduled intervention zones. A local clean-up campaign will be launched on April 7, in collaboration with the Regional Agricultural Development Delegation, local authorities, and civil society organizations. This initiative includes cleaning and dredging the old riverbed passing through Nefta.

Additionally, Nefta Municipality is addressing the stray dog issue, which has been ongoing since last summer, in cooperation with security authorities. The focus is on controlling stray dogs moving from oases to residential areas. The municipality has also launched a procurement plan to acquire 100 garbage containers (770 liters each) to strengthen waste management efforts.

The Tozeur Municipality has also developed a local mosquito control strategy in collaboration with the Public Health and Environmental Protection Department. Since January, continuous spraying operations have targeted mosquito breeding grounds, especially in irrigation ditches within oases and near urban areas where rainwater has accumulated.

According to Municipal Secretary General Salim Bakir, intensified control measures were recently carried out in the old oasis, around the wastewater treatment plant, and in open water areas near the facility, as these are major mosquito breeding sites.

Given Tozeur’s unique urban oasis landscape, where the oasis is closely integrated with the city, the municipality has expanded its intervention efforts. Equipment such as tractors and 600-liter pesticide tanks is being used to spray targeted areas, including irrigation ponds and ditches within the oasis, as well as specific locations outside the oasis, such as the Hafr Et-Tin area.

These initiatives aim to reduce mosquito populations and improve living conditions for residents ahead of the summer season.