The Vector and Rodent Unit of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has stepped up spraying of drains in Georgetown in a bid to keep the Zika virus at bay.According to M&CC Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, the exercise seeks to eliminate actual and potential breeding places of mosquitos.

In January, vector rodent officers sprayed drains in several wards in Georgetown including Shirley Field Ridley Square, Guyhoc Park, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Wortmanville and Werk-en-Rust.

Similar exercises were planned for this month and next month in several other communities include Albouystown, Charlestown, Alexander Village, West Ruimveldt, West La Penitence and North/ South Ruimveldt.

The Vector Rodent Unit also recently conducted an awareness session with hoteliers in Werk-en-Rust and leaflets providing information on the Zika virus and the importance of practicing good environmental care were distributed.

“The Council anticipates that the hoteliers would be able to engage their clients and seek to put into practice the information provided to them by environmental health officers. The hoteliers are considered to be a suitable target group for the dissemination of information since they interact with a wide-cross section of the public on a daily basis,” she noted.

Chief Public Health Inspector Carl Dey said the unit is understaffed, but in spite of this and other challenges, resources are being mobilised and maximised to address environmental issues.

The Vector Rodent Unit is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health on a joint Public Awareness Campaign in Georgetown.