WRHA Implores Persons to Get Rid of Mosquito Breeding Sites in Their Homes

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is urging the public to implement vector-control measures in their homes, in response to the increase in the region’s Aedes index.

The index, which is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the number of houses in a well-defined area where actual breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito is found, has increased from seven per cent before consistent rainfall to nine per cent at the end of June 2024.

In an interview with JIS News, Regional Vector Control Officer for the WRHA, Ryan Morris, said that it is of utmost importance that the public continues to work with the vector-control team to protect themselves.

“So, do your once-per-week search and destroy mosquito breeding sites on your premises, because remember, no one knows your premises like you do. You know where all the little stuff that will hold water is,” Mr. Morris said.

He suggested that the public should also normalise the use of mosquito repellent containing DEET, household insect sprays and to screen windows and doors or keep them closed where applicable.

Mr. Morris said the WRHA continues to work assiduously in depleting the index percentage.

“We have done extensive oiling of the ground pool water holding areas. We have increased our fogging activity to include private pest controllers, so we can fog seven days per week twice daily. We have multiple fogging operations happening at once for any given parish in Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny and St. James,” he said.

Mr. Morris assured that once the rainy period breaks, the WRHA will be better able to respond rapidly and bring the index back down to seven per cent and lower.