The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), says that the community should remain vigilant in preventing mosquito breeding. Frequent rainfall allows mosquito’s to breed when the rainwater gets trapped into containers around homes and businesses.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) have both recently appealed to countries that have mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya to step up their vector control efforts and prepare for a possible increase in patients suffering from these diseases.
The PAHO/WHO recommendations come as the peak transmission season for dengue approaches and following local transmission of chikungunya in a number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Resident’s at home and owners of businesses are advised to continually take measures to mitigate the Aedes Aegypti mosquito that is responsible for the transmission of dengue and chikungunya.
Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever, ‘Get Checked” campaign, is in line with the appeal for residents, and business owners, to check-in and around their homes, and businesses in order to reduce breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, and making them mosquito-free zones.
On a daily basis check containers such as buckets and water tanks for larvae and eliminate the breeding source. Water tanks and cisterns should be properly secure and screened to prevent mosquito’s from entering. If there aren’t any containers with water for mosquitoes to lay the larvae there won’t be any adult mosquitoes.
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito lays her eggs in clear (clean) stagnant water. Within eight days the mosquito can complete its life cycle from egg, to larvae to pupae and to adult mosquito.
Even after you have cleaned-up your yard and surroundings, it is recommended for persons to walk around their surroundings on a weekly basis and after every rain event to eliminate all possible breeding sites.
On a daily basis check plants in your yard for mosquito breeding sites, keep vegetation properly trim, and avoid overgrown vegetation.
Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading is realized to prevent drainage problems which can be a source for standing water.
Turn over containers, buckets, boats and yachts which can catch water in the event of rainfall.
When out during dusk and dawn hours, use mosquito repellent or wear proper clothing to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
An increase in the mosquito population puts all residents and businesses at risk. Call for information on the Aedes Aegypti mosquito breeding sites and respective preventive measures at 542-2078 or 542-3003 or email surveillance@sintmaartengov.org
CPS is a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health.