The 24-hour exercise is being undertaken in an effort to control the spread of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus.

Timor-Leste in the midst of one of its worse dengue outbreaks with 972 registered cases and 18 deaths, according to data announced Wednesday by the Ministry of Health. Dili is the most affected municipality, with a total of 648 cases.

All employees of public administration bodies and services will be involved in the clean-up with calls for local residents, namely civil society groups and schools to join forces in cleaning public spaces, neighbourhoods, and homes, according to a government statement.

The Council of Ministers will decide at its next meeting if the cleaning campaign will continue.