Traps purchased by Ricardo Nunes' administration have become breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes.

247 - The São Paulo City Hall has faced difficulties in maintaining traps against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, one of the main vectors of dengue fever. Installed by Ricardo Nunes' administration, the technology was acquired for R$ 400 per unit, with the promise of being effective in combating the disease. However, reports indicate that, due to a lack of regular maintenance, the traps have often become breeding grounds for the mosquito itself, worsening the situation.

According to information obtained by Folha de S. Paulo, the more than 20 traps scattered throughout the city should undergo monthly or bimonthly maintenance, according to the manufacturer. However, there are records of delays ranging from one to six months. This neglect results in the loss of effectiveness of the larvicide contained in the equipment and the accumulation of stagnant water, creating an ideal environment for the proliferation of Aedes aegypti larvae. Experts warn that this failure to comply with maintenance compromises all the city's efforts in combating the disease, while the population suffers from the impacts of the inaction.

The situation was confirmed by residents of the east, west, and south zones, who received the traps in 2024. Many, after realizing the opposite effect of the traps—which attracted mosquitoes due to lack of maintenance—returned the equipment to the City Hall. The equipment in question, black buckets filled with water, were designed to attract female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and contain substances that, when the mosquito comes into contact with them, help control the insect population. However, the traps' effectiveness depends on the regular replenishment of the sachets containing larvicide and the fungus that control the infestation. According to epidemiologist André Ribas Freitas, it is common for dengue traps to become breeding grounds. "Most of the problems are in maintenance, because the shape of the trap ends up allowing it to accumulate water," explained Freitas, highlighting that the challenge is great when trying to replicate effective laboratory solutions in practice.

The Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo is also investigating the situation. A civil inquiry has been opened to investigate possible irregularities in the acquisition and maintenance of the traps, with expenses already exceeding R$ 35 million. Furthermore, the Municipal Comptroller General's Office (CGM) has initiated a confidential investigation into the flaws in the processes, without the City Hall providing clear answers regarding the methodologies used to evaluate the effectiveness of the equipment.

The issue of maintaining the traps comes at a critical time for the city, which in 2024 recorded the highest number of dengue cases in the last ten years, with 623.437 confirmed cases and 475 deaths. The health crisis was recognized by the state government, which declared a state of emergency due to the epidemic. The number of cases and deaths continues to grow, with 124.038 confirmed cases and 113 deaths as of the last update, most of whom were infected with serotype 2 of the virus.