The National Mosquito Elimination Community Program Zika Virus disease (ZikV) “Beat ZikV,” will be heading to Mary’s Fancy on Saturday, September 3rd.
On August 20 the program had kicked-off in Saunders where residents in the area were very cooperative with personnel from the Ministry and volunteers who were out in the field.
Approximately 100 premises were visited, of which 51 houses. Nine houses had positive mosquito breeding sources.
The success of the community program calls for close cooperation of residents within the identified district (s) to ensure a smooth operation of house to house visits and their availability to create an opportunity to provide one on one education on the elimination of mosquito breeding sites in and around the house.
In addition to the opportunity to increase awareness on one on one, there is simultaneously a yard inspection by the vector assistant controllers to detect if there are breeding sources in the particular yard and its respective surroundings. Based on the detected mosquito breeding sites in the yard and its respective surroundings mosquito traps will be placed, monitored and collected within a short period; set-up and monitoring of traps to study mosquito behavior and larvae development, and if needed targeted fogging of identified locations.
Colleagues from Inspectorate, Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) departments from within the Ministry of Public Health Social Development and Labour with members from the Sint Maarten Red Cross Foundation and Youth Chapter, have assisted with the execution of this program to date. It is the intention to expand with additional assistance from the St. Maarten Voluntary Corps and other community groups.
The ultimate purpose is to minimize the occurrence of mosquito borne diseases by eliminating mosquito breeding sites within the districts with a special focus on the elimination of the Aedes Aegypty mosquito.
CPS reiterates to the population of Sint Maarten as well as visitors to wear light colored clothing at dusk; long sleeve shirts and pants; and use mosquito repellent to prevent being bitten by a mosquito that could possibly be carrying a mosquito borne disease.
CPS re-enforces its message that all residents and businesses need to take proactive measures to prevent mosquitos from breeding. Be on the alert for mosquito breeding sites and eliminate, especially after heavy rainfall.
Actively destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water. Do not allow water to accumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, cemetery urns/vase or in pet dishes for more than two days. Throw out the water and turn them over every time it collects water.
An increase in the mosquito population puts residents and visitors at risk. For information about dengue fever, zika and chikungunya prevention measures, you can call CPS 542-2078 or 542-3003 to report mosquito breeding sites or email: surveillance@sintmaartengov.org