MOSCOW, September 3 (RIA Novosti) - The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has taken its first steps against mosquitos carrying dengue in the city’s popular Yoyogi Park, where 35 of its visitors have already been infected with dengue fever, Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
Some 90 signs were placed along the park’s paths saying, “Be careful of mosquitoes!” and “Please avoid wearing open-toed sandals,” according to Yomiuri Shimbun.
Visitors are urged to wear long sleeves, long trousers and insect repellent while workers began a two-day draining process on Monday to take water out of ponds acting as mosquito breeding grounds. Although mosquito traps have been set up, the insects have not been exterminated, though the authorities assure the park will be monitored.
“The infections are limited to a specific area, and the disease is unlikely to become widespread,” an official from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry was quoted as saying by Yomiuri Shimbun.
The infections are believed to be caused by tiger mosquitoes living in areas limited to 50 to 100 meters in range. The mosquitoes live for 30 to 40 days and feed on humans up to four times during their lifespan. The insects, unable to survive winter, remain active until late October.
So far no mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus have been found in Yoyogi Park, according to Tokyo government officials.
The park is not officially closed for the time being though several events have been canceled as the number of park visitors has sharply declined.
Yomiuri Shimbun confirmed Tuesday another 13 cases of dengue fever, raising the total number to 35. The ministry has linked all cases to mosquitos in Yoyogi Park.
Dengue fever is a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as severe joint pain and high fever, potentially developing into a lethal complication called severe dengue, according to the World health Organization (WHO).
Currently there are no vaccines or drugs to combat dengue fever and experts claim prevention is the only cure.
