KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health and Human Services has intensified its mosquito control efforts across the island following the passage of Hurricane Beryl. This initiative aims to curb the increased mosquito population resulting from the heavy rains.
Sheryn Huntley-Jones, the ministry’s medical entomologist and national program manager for vector control, announced that spraying operations are being conducted every morning and evening in all communities. She urged residents to cooperate by opening doors and windows to allow the spray to be effective.
“For the spray to be effective, you have to open your windows and doors. Some mosquito species rest and feed indoors. The only way the mist can reach them is if it drifts indoors. So, when our team comes, please open your windows and doors for a minute or two,” Huntley-Jones advised.
To bolster these efforts, an additional 400 temporary staff have been hired, increasing the total workforce to 1,000. These workers are being deployed island-wide to enhance the extermination campaign.
The ministry’s primary focus is on eradicating the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus, particularly in high-risk areas. Huntley-Jones emphasized the importance of community cooperation to prevent a surge in dengue cases, which have been decreasing and are now nearly below baseline levels.
“We don’t want to see a surge in dengue cases. The cases have been coming down very nicely and are almost below baseline. We hope people will cooperate with us and take personal responsibility,” she stated.
Residents are encouraged to support the vector control teams by conducting their own search and control activities. This includes spraying homes with insecticides before leaving in the morning and using mosquito repellent.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in containerized environments, anywhere that can hold water. Common breeding sites include drums, tires, buckets, and animal feeding containers. The public is urged to check their surroundings at least once a week to ensure no mosquito breeding sites exist and to keep water containers covered.
