The Ministry of Health and Wellness has officially launched its Enhanced Vector Control Programme as it continues the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses. The programme will engage 1,000 temporary workers, who will join more than 200 permanent staff in undertaking vector control and public education activities in communities across the island. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, in his remarks...

The Hanover Health Department has heightened its enhanced vector control programme aimed at eradicating the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector for the parish, Fritz Francis, told JIS News that the intervention started on July 1 and is focused on high-risk communities. He noted that 60 temporary vector control aides...

As the Ministry of Health and Wellness prepares for the 10th staging of the National Health Research Conference (NHRC), organisers are grateful for the achievements of the past and look towards the future, as the conference continues to be a source of direction for the work of the Ministry. Director, Epidemiological Research and Data Analysis Unit of the Ministry, which...

Vector Control Officer at the Westmoreland Health Department, Ryan Morris, says more than 6,000 premises were inspected for Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites in the first week of July. Mr. Morris told JIS News that this was carried out by the new cohort of Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme workers. He outlined that the programme, which started on...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has assured that despite reports, there is currently no outbreak of dengue fever on the island. Dr. Tufton was addressing the official launch of the Compassionate Care Programme, at the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Hanover, on Thursday (June 27). “Since January of this year when we had the dengue...

There has been a decrease in mosquito breeding sites in the parish of Trelawny, says Chief Medical Officer at the Falmouth Hospital, Dr. Diane Dale. She told JIS News that the decline is attributed to extensive mosquito control activities done by the Trelawny Health Department since a dengue fever outbreak was declared in January of this year. “We intensified mosquito...

Vector Control Officer at the Westmoreland Health Department, Ryan Morris, is reporting a major reduction in breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the parish. “We have seen a significant trending down, and we are heading back to normalcy,” he told JIS News. He said that following the declaration of an outbreak of dengue fever in January, the department’s...

Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton says the coordinated fight against the dengue virus in St. James is continuing, with over 10,000 visits conducted in communities across the parish by Vector Control workers. He stated that vector control coordinators have been vigorously assisting in the elimination of mosquito breeding sites in the parish, having identified and destroyed approximately 1500...

The Westmoreland Health Department has stepped up its thrust to educate citizens in the parish about dengue fever. “We have been carrying out dengue sensitisation in several communities as well as partnering with schools,” Health Promotions and Education Officer, Gerald Miller, told JIS News. “We engage the teachers by asking them to pass on information in their lessons. They (teachers)...

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says 10 additional workers will be employed at the Trelawny Health Department’s Vector Control Unit as the Ministry steps up efforts in destroying mosquito breeding sites in the parish. “We are expanding the temporary work staff. We will be moving from 40 to 50 Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme as...

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the St. Ann Health Department will be getting an additional 50 temporary vector control workers, to assist in the destruction of mosquito-breeding sites in the parish. Speaking to journalists after a tour of the Exchange community in St. Ann, on January 16, the Minister pointed out that the workers would be...

Vector Control Coordinator at the St. Elizabeth Health Department, Michael Myles, says the Vector Control Unit will be getting an additional 34 temporary workers in an effort to destroy more mosquito breeding sites in the parish. Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Myles informed that the Unit now has 34 Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme and Ministry of Health...