Residents of the Virgin Islands are urged to conduct weekly surveillance of their premises and support efforts to minimise mosquito breeding.

Vector Control Manager, Mr. Minchington Israel said a fogging campaign was recently launched and that the Ministry of Health and Social Development is seeking the community’s assistance in ensuring that these efforts are effective.

Mr. Israel said, “We have decided to double-up on the usual fogging schedule of truck operating nightly.  We will have two trucks fogging in tandem with our powerful truck mount equipment.”

The Vector Control Manager stated that the fogging schedule is dependent on the weather. He said if there is rain or high winds more than ten miles per hour, fogging cannot be done as it can be taken up into the atmosphere or carried out to sea.

“The plan is to do the entire Territory however long it takes.  But we will endeavor to have two trucks on the road each night which will be double our normal fogging schedule to try to go through the Territory as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mr. Israel said members of the community must do their part to support efforts to reduce mosquito breeding.

“We want you to clean up your yards and eliminate mosquito breeding sites,” he said, adding, “Remove or turn over water holding receptacles such as unwanted buckets, pails, bottles, tin cans, and toys. Take abandoned home appliances and old tires to the Pockwood Pond Incinerator, and contact the Department of Waste Management for help with removal of derelict vehicles.”

Mr. Israel further added that barrels, drums, water tanks and overflow pipes of cisterns, empty flower pots, vases and saucers are to be protected.

Ornamental pools, fountains and roof gutters are to be flushed while persons can fill depressions in the ground with dirt, gravel, and stones where possible.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development 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.

Standing Strong. We are #OneBVI.