Mosquito-Eradication Team in Clarendon Increased
By: , July 26, 2024
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (third right), in conversation with a vector-control team working in the community of Rocky Point, Clarendon, on July 25. Others pictured are (from right) Councillor for the Rocky Point Division, Winston Maragh; Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Eastern, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. and Deputy Chairman for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Stern.
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second right, standing), and Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Eastern, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), speak with residents of Rocky Point in Clarendon, on July 25.The Full Story
The Government has significantly boosted the mosquito-eradication team for the parish of Clarendon, with the addition of 121 temporary vector-control workers, and the engagement of four private contractors.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said it has been an extraordinary time for the breeding of mosquitoes since the passage of Hurricane Beryl, with increased water and mosquito eggs hatching.
The Minister, who was in the Rocky Point community of Clarendon to observe fogging and to meet with the response teams in the parish on July 25, pointed out that the 121 temporary workers, 20 permanent staff, four functioning vehicles, 16 handheld foggers, and three Ultra Low Volume (ULV) fogging machines, have been assigned to tackle the mosquito problem.
“We have about 13 teams that go out every morning, covering a minimum of 50 communities, and the teams are on full throttle in response to the frustration of the residents,” the Minister told the residents, adding that the “Government has acted, and is acting, and we take your concerns seriously.”
Dr. Tufton said based on reports from scientists, it is going to take another five to six weeks for the mosquito population to diminish, but “we are equipped to do the work, and the funding is not an issue at this time; what we need is the management and coordination on the ground”.
He pointed out that while most of the mosquitoes will not pass on the dengue virus, they are still a nuisance to the residents.
“The Ministry is committed to eradicating them, and we understand and regret that you have to go through this. It is our job to get you back to normal as quickly as possible,” Dr. Tufton said.
The Minister urged that while the vector teams do their part, the residents must ensure that they keep their surroundings clear of mosquito breeding sites.
Some of the common breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito are drums, tyres, buckets and feeding containers for animals.
Members of the public are encouraged to search their surroundings at home and work at least once per week to ensure there is no breeding of the mosquito and to cover water containers.