GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Section General Health Care (SGHC) of the Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health, would like to express and commend the different groups, companies and volunteers who are involved in a number of district clean-up campaigns in preparation for the hurricane season.
This activity is twofold in that as the garbage is removed it also contributes to the elimination of mosquito breeding sites and therefore impacting the mosquito population. If there are no containers with water for mosquitoes to lay the larvae there will be no adult mosquitoes.
Dengue Fever is transmitted by the female vector Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The clean-up will prevent the mosquito from finding a place to lay its eggs. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is distinguished by its markings. The body of the mosquito has alternate black and white horizontal stripes. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito lays her eggs in clear (clean) stagnant water. Within eight days the mosquito can complete its life cycle from egg, to larvae to pupae and to and adult mosquito.
Even after you have cleaned-up your yard and surroundings, it is recommended for persons to walk around their surroundings after every rain event to eliminate all possible breeding sites.
Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever, 'Get Checked" campaign, is in line with the appeal for residents, and business owners, to check-in and around their homes, and businesses in order to reduce breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
SHGC is calling on the community especially homeowners to be proactive in implementing mosquito preventive measures on their own property in order to prevent vector borne diseases.
Make use of the clean-up efforts to get rid of possible breeding sites keeping your environment mosquito free. This calls for a district effort and team work. This approach should be realized in all districts by the people for the people and with the people for a mosquito free environment.
Persons are recommended to keep their homes, yards, neighborhoods and work environment free from mosquito breeding sites.
Homeowners can reduce the number of areas where adult mosquitoes can find shelter by cutting down weeds adjacent to the house foundation and in their yards, and mowing the lawn regularly.
Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading is realized to prevent drainage problems which can be a source for standing water.
An increase in the mosquito population puts residents at risk. For information about dengue fever prevention measures, you can call CPS at 542-2078 or 542-3003.
