Residents of the Virgin Islands will benefit from information on how to properly utilise pesticides, and manage and dispose of these products after they are expired, through activities in observance of Pesticides Awareness Week. 

The Department of Waste Management will be spearheading a cleanup campaign on Jost Van Dyke from July 4 to 6 in an effort to mitigate vector borne diseases like Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue Fever. 

The Virgin Islands community is being urged to continue their efforts to reduce mosquito breeding to prevent outbreaks of Dengue Fever, Chikungunya Virus and the new Zika Virus, which are all spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Awareness activities and events will be held throughout this month and will continue until the end of this year, as the Territory marks the 25^th anniversary of Environment Month.

The Environmental Health Division is notifying the public that service dogs are now allowed at food establishments.

Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Carnel Smith said a review was done on a decision taken by the department, to restrict the harboring of pets in all food establishments. He said the division has since made the decision to allow service dogs to accompany the disabled master to restaurants in the Territory.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is asking  businesses that do not possess a trade license to function as a pharmacy to refrain from  importing and selling prescription only medications.

Owners, managers and food handlers of food establishments on Anegada are notified that the Environmental Health Division will be conducting educational sessions on the island on May 4 and 13.

The public is encouraged to “Wear Green and Go Green” in territorial solidarity for Earth Day 2015, Wednesday, April 22.

Environmental Officer of the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Mrs. Cynara Benjamin-Duncan, said that the department is once again trying to increase awareness of eco-friendly habits by encouraging persons to wear green and “be greener.”

The Conservation and Fisheries Department is inviting all persons to ‘Wear Green and Go Green” in territorial solidarity for Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22.

In addition, the Department is inviting all churches, organizations, civic groups and/or interested individuals to join in a coastal clean-up effort along the Sir Francis Drive in the Slaney area on April 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Persons are also encouraged to participate in an educational Eco-walk and environmental tour scheduled for Saturday, April 25.

The Environmental Health Division is asking the public to continue its efforts to reduce mosquito breeding to prevent future outbreaks of Dengue Fever and the Chikungunya Virus.