Buncamper is referring to last year's outbreak of dengue fever, which started in August and declined in January 2009.
"It has been raining off and on during the past weeks and this presents opportunities for an increase in the island's mosquito population if nothing is done. We have the hurricane season approaching and this usually results in more rainfall.
"I urge residents to continue to take preventative actions in order to prevent an outbreak in 2009. A community effort is required in order to keep our island community dengue fever free," Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Monday.
The Department of Hygiene & Veterinary Affairs will continue to take vector control measures along with fogging activities.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.
Preventive actions that every household should take are Debris, old tires, and standing clear/clean water in yards are the main source and breeding ground for mosquitoes bringing about an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases. These areas should be immediately eliminated.
Immediately check for clear/clean standing water in roof spouts, empty drums, buckets, jars, birdbaths, boats, plant containers, saucers, paint cans, and other items that can collect water around your homes and businesses. Where clear/clean standing water exists, one can use small amounts of kerosene, just to cover the surface as a measure to prevent mosquito breeding or just get rid of the container.
In the case of where containers are used for storing water, residents should keep these properly covered and check every three days to make sure that mosquito's have not laid any eggs. Inlets and outlets of cisterns must be covered with a mosquito net or cloth to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water.
Anyone requiring information concerning measures to prevent mosquito breeding or to report areas of standing water, overgrown vegetation etc should contact the Hygiene Department at 542-2079.
(GIS)
