Mosquito Prevalence Alarming for CBH Official

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What Ails You

Monday, 12 September 2011 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is overwhelming residents in Antigua, according to Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael, and he wants communities to work together to combat the infestation.

According to Michael, this type of mosquito, which spreads dengue fever, is prevalent in the south sections of the island, from Jennings to Old Road, but particularly from Bolans to Urlings.

Other areas affected include Freetown, Fitches Creek, Hodges Bay, Crosbies, Paradise View, McKinnon’s, Point, Villa Area, Gray's Farm, Clare Hall, St Johnson’s Village, and Skerritt’s Pasture.

Michael said these communities should not take this threat for granted, as the mosquito could be viewed as a threat to national security. He wants an intensive public education programme to deal with the problem.

At the personal level, the chief health inspector (CHI) wants people to protect themselves by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants at night, and in cases where they are able to, they should use mosquito repellants. The CHI is also urging residents to clear their yards of water containers, and garbage, and use nets and gauze around the house and areas such as the downpipes from spouting and overflow valves.

Michael is also making a link between the mosquito prevalence and the rat infestation that forced the closure of the health clinic at Cobbs Cross. He said rats are very difficult to control, and in this case, neighbours should get together and work on joint strategies to reduce the rat infestation and mosquitoes.

“Some of the strategies used to control mosquitoes can also be used to control rats, such as the removal of garbage from one’s yard, old containers, and debris are effective in the fight against both vectors,” he said.

The health official said his department does not have the resources to tackle the rat problem island-wide, and this is where he needs the support of the community to help in the fight against both rats and mosquitoes.

In a related development, Michael confirmed that his department has completed a major programme of clearing the drains/gutters across the island ahead of the hurricane season. He said this is primarily aimed at preventing flooding during heavy rainfalls.

Drains/gutters in West Palm Beach in Bolans, Perry Bay, Urlings, Herberts, Paynters, North Sound, East Fort Road, Gray's Farm, Hatten, Pigotts, Skerritts Pasture, and Jennings have been cleaned or cleared under this programme.

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