The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is having two days of activities on Wednesday, 9th May, 2018 and Thursday 10th, May, 2018, to commemorate Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week designated for May 7th - 13th, 2018.

The slogan is 'small bite, big threat. Fight the bite, destroy mosquito breeding sites'. This was the slogan developed in 2016 and continues to be built on. With the continued presence of mosquito borne diseases such as dengue fever which is endemic and the arrival of Chikungunya and Zika, it is crucial for everyone to fight the bite.

This year's Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week event is a collaborative initiative between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The event is designed to strengthen existing initiatives and mobilize the public to take action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Therefore, on these two days of activities, personnel from the Environmental Health Division, particularly the Integrated Vector Control Unit, will be visiting communities on the Windward side of the island on Wednesday 9th, May, 2018 and Leeward on Thursday 10th, May, 2018. The objective of this activity will be to promote education, awareness and community participation in vector control. Community members will be educated on mosquitoes and their breeding sites, as well as protection methods.

Individuals will also be sensitized on mosquito control methods. These control methods can be easily carried out by individuals. The Public Health Department and by extension the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is hoping to empower communities in the  fight against mosquito borne diseases.

SOURCE: Ministry Of Health, Wellness and the Environment