Goiás authorities intensify flood and dengue prevention

Authorities in Goiás and Goiânia are intensifying preventive measures to combat flooding and the spread of arboviruses like dengue, chikungunya, and zika ahead of the rainy season.

In Goiânia, the Urbanization Company (Comurg) has cleaned over 4 million square meters of stream banks to mitigate flood risks. Teams are frequently removing heavy debris, such as mattresses and appliances, from critical waterways like Córrego do Fundo and Córrego Taquaral. The LimpaGyn Consortium warned that irregular waste disposal directly contributes to both clogged drainage systems and the creation of water reservoirs that facilitate mosquito breeding.

Simultaneously, the Goiás State Health Secretariat (SES) has launched a task force to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The state reports a significant rise in cases, including a 343% increase in chikungunya. To combat this, the government is deploying advanced technologies, including ovitraps in 104 municipalities and Larvicidal Disseminating Stations (EDL) to reach difficult breeding sites. Officials emphasize that public cooperation in proper waste disposal is essential to preventing both environmental and health crises.