Westmoreland Health Department Reports Decline in Mosquito Indices

The Westmoreland Public Health Department is reporting a reduction in mosquito indices across the parish.

Chief Public Health Inspector, Steve Morris, told JIS News that the decline follows weeks of aggressive fogging and community interventions.

“At the end of November, we were at [approximately] 11 per cent, and our Breteau index was at 26 per cent. The last assessment we did of our Aedes index, which was… in the last week of December, we were at eight per cent, and our Breteau index was at about 16 per cent. So, we have seen a difference since we have started our intensive road and vector-control programme,” he said.

Mr. Morris noted that fogging has been conducted across Westmoreland in the mornings, evenings and nights over the past six weeks, and will continue for another six weeks.

He emphasised, however, that government-led activities alone are not sufficient to eliminate mosquito breeding and urged residents to take greater responsibility for removing mosquito breeding sites, as intensified vector-control measures continue across the parish.

“Residents have to do their part to ensure that our communities are safe from these mosquitoes,” Mr. Moris stated, stressing that householders must work together to reduce standing water and other mosquito breeding sites in and around their homes.

He also appeals to residents to cooperate fully with health teams during community visits.

“We have seen some pushback from community members. I’m imploring them to continue to support the team when they come out,” Mr. Morris urged.

As part of the parish’s broader vector-control strategy, the Public Health Department is implementing targeted clean-up activities and environmental management measures in several communities.