The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), is reminding residents to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding especially after intermittent showers that the island has been experiencing over the past two weeks.
The Caribbean region will see a frequency in weather related systems bringing rain showers.
Proper control measures need to be in place around homes and businesses to reduce breeding of the Ades Aegypti mosquito which is mostly found in domestic environments as a result of human activity and has the potential to transmit dengue fever.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults. If you experience fever, body aches, headache, severe pain behind the eyes, consult your physician and check your surroundings to ensure that no breeding source is present.
Clear stagnant water in old tires and other types of debris in yards can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes bringing about an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
CPS is therefore advising residents to take immediate measures after rain events to make sure there is no clear/clean stagnant water in their yards and disposing of responsibly old tires, empty drums, plant containers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around their homes and businesses.
An increase in the mosquito populations puts residents at risk. 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 mosquito breeding.
To avoid being bitten by a mosquito, use repellent and wear long sleeve shirts/blouses as well as pants. Place screens at windows, doors.