-Mayor, Vector Control Unit

The Georgetown City Council and the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health are calling on the public to do their part to combat an increase in the mosquito population.

The Mayor and City Council started an anti-mosquito campaign in March, and its Vector Control Unit started with the spraying of street and alleyway drains in the North and South Ruimveldt areas. The activity was said to have been done in other areas of the city and is ongoing.

However Mayor of the city, Hamilton Green called the task of tackling the mosquito population a “herculean,” adding that fogging is only a temporary solution. Green said that while fogging helps to control the increase of the insects, it is not the solution. “We are doing our best in the circumstance,” he said. Green added that there needs to be corporation rom residents.

He pointed out that there are many breeding spots in yards and advised that persons must not leave containers with water in their yards for long periods.

Green also pointed out that the drains need to be kept clean and free flowing, noting that if this is not done it too will contribute to the increase of the mosquito population.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector of the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health, Krishna Lall pointed out that controlling the mosquito population requires partnership between the public, especially when it came to getting rid of breeding grounds. The increased mosquito population, Lall states, stems from an increase in breeding ground for mosquitoes. Containers, tires and water receptacles are where the problem stems from. “People need to be conscious that these things are creating a problem in terms of breeding of mosquitoes,” Lall said. While noting that the population was not as high in the dry season, Lall stated that the with the start of the May/June rains many containers which were empty now acted as receptacles for stagnant water, which is where the insects breed.

Stagnant water in trenches and Styrofoam boxes, plastic bottles and rubbish which are seeing an increase is the responsibility of the people Lall added. And while his unit educates households on how to reduce the breeding grounds for mosquitoes, Lall says that persons are not following the advice given.

Lall says that inspectors are working daily in the in treating and eliminating the mosquito larvae. But he again stressed the importance of a partnership between his unit and the public. Persons need to do there part if the mosquito issue is to be adequately addressed.

While noting that the City Council has a direct role for vector control, Lall said that the Ministry of Health acts in supportive role, lending assistance whenever needed be it by the city or the regions.

Lall pointed out that last week the Ministry concluded a workshop of which the M&CC was a part at the Tower Hotel. At the workshop, integrated vector management, training and identification of different vectors that transmit mosquito-borne diseases, among other things, were addressed.

Meanwhile, addressing the mosquito population in Berbice, Lall said that the Ministry is supporting the county with training and the provision of fogging machines, spraying equipment and pesticides. He added that there is continuous fogging from village to village in the ancient county. The mosquito population in Berbice, Lall says is under control.

And as relates to the spread of diseases spread by mosquitoes, Lall said that as of now there was nothing to be alarmed about.