Mosquitoes can cause serious problems in daily life. In addition to interfering with work and leisure time, some are capable of transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue, encephalitis and the West Nile virus to humans and animals.

Mosquitoes have four separate and distinct stages of life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Water is a vital condition for their growth and development.

The Shanghai Patriotic and Hygienic Campaign Office has been busy mobilizing and organizing people to eliminate environments favorable to the growth and development of mosquitoes.

Control operations include the placement of plenty of mosquito-luring cages and jars, releasing of fish and the spraying of pesticides in water ponds or landscape fountains.

The public was advised to take initiatives and report any stagnated water found in their communities.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2008)