JEDDAH, Jun 9 (Arab News): Nuha Dashash, assistant director of health affairs for primary health care in Jeddah, asked all Jeddah residents not to give the dengue fever virus an opportunity to multiply by allowing standing water in the vicinity of their habitations.

"(Summertime) is usually the time mosquitoes multiply inside homes due to the soaring heat outside," she told Arab News.

Dashash asked citizens and foreigners living in Jeddah not to leave their water cisterns open and to take measures to prevent mosquitoes from being able to enter homes through.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health Affairs organized a weeklong massive awareness campaign against the disease in various parts of the city.

Sayidah Al-Johani, in charge of health awareness in the northeastern districts of Jeddah, said the awareness program targeted men, women and children.

"They were enlightened about how to fight the disease and eradicate the mosquitoes," she explained.