Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson is urging continued vigilance by members of the public to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites especially given that the island is now experiencing rainfall.
Dr. Ferguson says householders, school officials, churches and operators of business establishments should spend at least ten minutes per week to search for and destroy anything in which mosquitoes can breed.
“The rainfall that we have been experiencing is creating the environment for mosquitoes to breed especially after the extended drought that we have had. It is very important that at this time we pay close attention to ensuring that we do not create the environment for the Aedes aegypti mosquito to breed,” Dr. Ferguson said.
He added that “this mosquito generally breeds in the environment around people and so we have to ensure that our surroundings are clean and free of anything that can become breeding sites for mosquitoes.”
Individuals should get rid of mosquito breeding sites by looking for anything in which water can settle and either cover it, keep the area dry, clean it regularly, fill it with soil or sand, punch holes into it and recycle or properly dispose of it. If mesh is used to cover containers then the holes should be small enough so that mosquitoes cannot enter.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito transmits diseases including dengue and chikungunya.