A cleanup campaign has been launched in mosquito hotspot areas as efforts continue to reduce the potential impact of the Zika virus in the Territory.

 The joint operation between the Department of Waste Management and the Environmental Health Unit will begin on February 25 on Jost Van Dyke.

Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mrs. Yolanda Penn said the vector control team will travel to Jost Van Dyke On February 25 and 26 to conduct house to house inspections.  Residents are asked to cooperate with the team to remedy any issues that may arise.

Residents are also asked to conduct a general cleanup of their premises.  A 20 yard bin will be placed in Great Harbor behind the Jost Van Dyke School and a ten yard bin in Little Harbor next to the Department of Waste Management's garbage bin for the collection of bulky waste.

Mrs. Penn said “We want to encourage the public to utilise these bins to dispose of any bulky waste which include fridges, stoves, furniture, tires, containers, etc. as we know these items can provide potential breeding grounds for mosquitos.”

Ground surveillance will also be conducted in locality three which is the area between Baugher’s Bay and Paraquita Bay from March 1 to 3.  Residents in these areas are urged to clean up their premises and dispose of their bulky waste in bins which will be strategically placed in the Baugher’s Bay area on March 5.

Mrs. Penn said similar campaigns will be conducted throughout the Territory over the next few months as efforts continue to reduce mosquito breeding within the community.  The department will also prioritise based on areas with the highest indices reported by the vector control team.

Residents are reminded to conduct weekly surveillance activities for breeding sites, properly dispose unwanted containers that can hold water and garbage on a regular basis. Open drains where water could settle must also be cleared at all times.  Persons are encouraged to thoroughly scrub the sides of containers to destroy mosquito eggs, keep their yard clean and clear of weeds and store containers not being used faced down.

The Environmental Health Division is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment with the potential to negatively impact the health of the population are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and well-being.