Keep Water Storage Containers Covered – Pickersgill

Minister for Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, is advising persons engaged in rainwater harvesting, to ensure that storage facilities are properly covered so that they do not become breeding sites for mosquitoes.

“I have been asking citizens to become involved in rainwater harvesting, so I’m further advising that you make adequate preparation to secure the water; that is very, very important,” he told JIS News.

The Minister issued the advice as he joined the call for Jamaicans to rid their surroundings of mosquito breeding sites in order to prevent the spread of the Zika virus (ZikV).

He noted that the Aedes aegypti, which transmits ZikV, is fond of sites near humans.

“As Minister of the Environment, I’m appealing to all our citizens to get rid of mosquito breeding sites.  It is of the utmost importance. Please, endeavour to be in the campaign to clean up our homes, our communities and, of course, Jamaica to avoid being bitten by these mosquitoes,” he urged.

Minister Pickersgill is imploring persons carrying out clean-up activities to avoid burning bushes and shrubs that are cut.

Instead, he said the garbage and other debris collected should be placed in bags and arrangements made with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) for removal.

Minister Pickersgill is also reminding persons to apply mosquito repellent that contains DEET; to wear long sleeved, light coloured shirts and trousers when outdoors; and to consider sleeping under mosquito nets.

Jamaica has to date confirmed one case of ZikV. The patient, from Portmore in St. Catherine, has since recovered.