Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Henrietta Alexander is urging residents to be aware of the potential for mosquito breeding around their premises and to be vigilant especially since the Territory has been experiencing moderate rainfall over the last few weeks.

Ms. Alexander said householders and property owners should survey their premises for empty containers and other water holding receptacles.  “Mosquitoes can lay over 200 eggs in a receptacle as small as a bottle cover, therefore I urge the community to be thorough when carrying out their surveillance,” she said.

According to the Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, premises should be kept clean and free of debris, containers not being used should be placed face down, garbage should be disposed of on a regular basis and drains should be checked and cleared where water could settle.   Persons are also encouraged to thoroughly scrub the insides of containers at the waterline to destroy mosquito eggs which can survive for up to eight months without water.

Ms. Alexander stated, “Vector control is a collaborative effort between the community and our division.  We need everyone to play their part to stop mosquito breeding at the source. I want to remind the public that fogging is our last option as it provides a quick knockdown of adult mosquitoes and provide temporary relief.  Mosquito breeding places, however, must be eliminated to control this vector.”

Ms. Alexander also added that eliminating mosquito breeding places, avoiding bites and improving environmental conditions in and around dwellings are key to reduce the risk of mosquito borne diseases.

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.