The Ministry of Health and Social Development and its partners are inviting all residents to “fight the bite” and join clean-up groups to eliminate mosquito breeding sites to reduce the Territory’s vulnerability to the Zika virus and other mosquito borne diseases.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Petrona Davies said, “In order to control the spread of the Zika virus in the Territory, we all must take steps, to unite and stop mosquito breeding in our homes, businesses, and communities.”

Mrs. Davies explained that there are several clean up campaigns scheduled throughout the month of September, and she is encouraging the community to join in the efforts to reduce mosquito breeding sites, which are any objects that can accumulate water.

The Aedes egypti mosquito that carries the Zika virus is domesticated and can reproduce in any object that contains water. 

Residents are urged to support community clean-up initiatives by eliminating unwanted containers that can hold water, disposing garbage on a regular basis, opening drains to release any water that could settle and conducting weekly inspections of all premises for any signs of mosquito breeding.

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