THE INTENSE rainfall of the past few months has resulted in several regions, particularly in Region Six, having to deal with an increase in the mosquito population. In addressing this issue, the Ministry of Health dispatched several fogging machines and chemicals into the regions to effectively tackle the mosquito infestation.
The Ministry has also facilitated several training sessions for fogging machine operators.
Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, on Wednesday said the mosquito infestation has been brought under control in Region Six, following several fogging exercises, which proved to be successful.
It is hoped that other regions would also have the same successes in their fogging exercises.
He also urged citizens to cooperate with the Health Ministry, the Regional Democratic Council and their respective municipalities in protecting the environment by appropriately discarding their garbage, styrofoam boxes, tyres and other receptacles that breed the vectors.
Additionally, the health ministry has employed the expertise of a Peruvian vector control specialist, Professor Palmira Ventosilla, who is working towards introducing another alternative to reducing the mosquito population.
This new alternative sees the use of use of coconuts and the Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) bacteria, which is able to kill 72 species of mosquito larvae.
This method is harmless to humans and animals, easy to use, inexpensive, and requires community participation.
At present, fogging exercises are on-going in Region Five , and it is hoped that those will also be successful.