SHCA advises community to continue to take preventative measures to prevent mosquito breeding
Residents are advised to continue to take preventative measures against mosquito breeding as we move further into the 2008 hurricane season where tropical weather systems will become more prominent – rain.
Sector Health Care Affairs (SHCA) Dengue Action Response Team (DART) recently met to review preventative activities as we approach the most active part of the hurricane season.
Based on preliminary research, there has been no increase in dengue cases on Dutch St. Maarten. However, the Department of Hygiene & Veterinary Affairs and the Public Works Department, advise all to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding.
The DAR Team plans to step up its information campaign in the coming weeks as part of its preventive action plan.
Contractors on job sites are advised to empty buckets and cover water storage drums and have the site cleaned up at the end of the work day of anything that can hold water even plastic bags.
A special appeal is going out to owners of plots of land to have these checked and cleaned of all overgrown vegetation and debris/old containers that were dumped there and due to the overgrown vegetation cannot be seen. These could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Measures that residents must take to prevent mosquito breeding are:
Debris, old tires and stagnant water in yards are the source or can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes bringing about an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
Residents are therefore strongly advised to take action making sure there is no stagnant water in their yards and roof spouts; and disposing responsibly old tires, empty drums, buckets, jars, birdbaths, boats, plant containers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around their homes and businesses.
In the case of where containers are used for storing water, residents should keep these covered. Inlets and outlets of cisterns must be covered with a mosquito net or cloth to prevent mosquitos from breeding in the water.
Persons or businesses making use of the landfill in Philipsburg for the dumping of barrels, buckets or anything that can hold water should cut holes into the items to avoid the accumulation of water.