PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry Health VSA Collective Prevention Services (CPS) announced on Sunday that it hopes to commence its mosquito fogging campaign this week if there is no rainfall. The Vector Control Unit will start with the fogging activity today, Monday November 19, from 6:00 to 8:00am or an alternate time 6:00 to 8:30pm.
The fogging will start in the areas with highest house index for mosquito counts: Middle Region, Sucker Garden, and Dutch Quarter on Monday, followed by Defiance, Hope Estate, Guana Bay and Pointe Blanche on Tuesday. The schedule for the other districts will be published on the Government Information Page (GIP) on Tuesday and will also be available online on government’s Facebook page.
Residents of the affected areas are requested to the follow these guidelines: Leave all doors and windows open to allow the insecticide to enter the building or house; prevent pets from coming in contact with the insecticide; children’s toys should be covered, stored away and washed as caution to ensure protection; all water containers and foodstuffs etc. must be well protected from exposure to the fogging.
The vector control measure of mosquito fogging was postponed due to the recent rain. In the meantime, CPS advises communities to continue to destroy mosquito breeding spots; dress appropriately by wearing light-coloured clothing at dusk, long-sleeve shirts and pants; and defend against being bitten by a mosquito by using repellent.
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 adult mosquito.
Actively and properly dispose of tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vases, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water.
Empty and turn over containers that hold water; remove debris from rain gutters and downspouts regularly; drain or fill low places on your property where water collects and stands for more than five to seven days; make sure permanent water containers in your yard are tightly covered and insect-proof; screen off the cistern’s outlets properly with mesh wire.
Cover trash containers/garbage cans to keep rainwater from accumulating; drain old tires by recycling them; keep boats and canoes/kayaks drained, covered or overturned; empty or cover unused swimming pools.
CPS said on Sunday that it is very important to check around your yard at home or around your business to make sure there is no clear/clean standing water after a rain event to prevent mosquito breeding sites. All residents are advised to remove all potential mosquito breeding sites to reduce the mosquito population.
For additional information on mosquito breeding-site elimination measures contact CPS at 542-1122, 542-1123 or 542-3553.
