$50m Vector Control Programme Launched in St. James

The St. James Health Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has officially launched a $50 million Integrated Vector Control Programme aimed at reducing vector-borne diseases in high-risk communities across the parish.

The project features a two-component strategic approach: a Breteau Index reduction, which lowers the number of mosquito breeding sites per 100 houses, and a robust rodent control programme that includes community clean-up exercises and public education campaigns to encourage residents to eliminate breeding sites in and around their homes.

The Breteau Index Reduction Programme commenced on December 29, and will run for six weeks with the aim of reducing the mosquito index—originally recorded at 67.9—to below 25 per 100 houses.

The initiative will also involve increased deployment of environmental health personnel, supported by modern equipment and chemicals approved by the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA).

Speaking during the recent media launch, Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, noted that Hurricane Melissa left communities vulnerable to disease.

She pointed out that residents have resorted to unconventional methods of storing water for domestic purposes, underscoring the urgent need to scale up initiatives to safeguard citizens.

“So over the next six weeks, we will be focusing on identifying and treating mosquito breeding containers. We want to ensure that 100 per cent of all our premises are inspected, of the 20 priority communities, and also that all the containers that we have identified are treated with our insecticide,” she informed.

Ms. Lewis advised that residents will receive larger replacement containers and fitted covers as part of the special initiatives, adding “we want to distribute 100 of these drums in priority communities.”

Meanwhile, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, expressed support for the initiative, emphasising that strengthened vector and rodent control is vital to community health and the growth of the local economy.

Residents are being urged to play their part by properly storing water, covering drums and tanks, disposing of garbage responsibly, and removing debris that can serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes and rodents.