JUST days after light rain showers in the New Amsterdam township, mosquitoes descended in their numbers resulting in cattle running wildly across the thoroughfare.

This is even as residents resorted to skin-slapping and itching, as the Public Enemy Number One, aided by their proboscis, stab into the skin of their prey, evoking an apathy which only they can.
As a result of the invasion, the streets are sparsely occupied by nightfall, as, beyond the nuisance factor, mosquitoes are carriers, or vectors, for some of humanity’s most deadly illnesses, and they are public enemy number one in the fight against global infectious disease.

Clearly then, the Health Department of Region 6 has moved to address the health issue by hosting several fogging exercises in the district.
This intervention, is the result of the swarming of the blood-sucking insects on President Donald Ramoutar, who was at the State House in New Amsterdam, on Sunday, and several telephone calls made by the citizenry to the Berbice Regional Health Authority [BRHA], resulting in an emergency media briefing.

BRHA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, reported that the mosquitoes are not carrying disease, but “the swamp mosquito is more of a nuisance.”
The plan of action involves fogging during the day and evening and although chemicals, though toxic will be used “it is not harmful to humans, but is deadly to the insects, and that is what we want to get rid of. However, residents must open their doors and windows, in order to allow the mist to enter their respective homes, as the fogging team passes around the streets.”
According to him, “We have had calls from areas like the fisheries at Number 66, Port Mourant both Corentyne areas. We have had some calls from other areas too, but, most of our calls are located in and around the New Amsterdam, Canje and Fort Ordinance area. So we will be tackling these areas first and then we will be dealing with the other areas.”
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Paul Ramrattan said the project will cost the administration about $500,000 weekly.
He explained the sum did not include wages and salaries for the fogging operators, however, the region was fortunate to have its own fogging machines, having bought two recently.
Additionally, the Ministry of Local Government donated a small swing fogging machine, to aid in the region’s fight against mosquito infestation.

(By Jeune Bailey Van Keric)