Aedes aegypti Under Control

A campaign by the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) to control the annoying and potentially risky mosquito Aedes aegypti has been effective.

Currently the count for Aedes aegypti is low, under 20, and success is credited to a combination of control efforts and cool and dry weather conditions unfavourable for breeding. With the resumption of nighttime flying, the prognosis looks even better.

MRCU had registered concern when data gathered through mosquito sampling in the affected areas of George Town and West Bay had indicated a count of 120 Aedes aegypti between 18 and 22 October.

Assistant Director of Research and Development Dr. Alan Wheeler launched an intense campaign to counter the problem. His plan involved deploying ground teams of up to 16 men to investigate yards during the day, destroying breeding areas and dispersing larvicide. During the evening, teams were sent out on fogging trucks to spray larvicide in problem areas and owing to these efforts, numbers were reduced the following week to a count of only 40 (now down to 20).

Aedes aegypti is most active around sunset and its bites are an irritation to many people. Piles of debris and garbage post-Ivan increased breeding places for the mosquito, which thrives in any water-holding container. Since the mosquito is a possible carrier for dengue fever, there was concern that a potential health hazard could arise. To date, no cases have been found on the island, meaning that no local transmissions can take place.

Members of the public are asked to continue to be sensitive to the potential for mosquito breeding around homes and offices and to assist by disposing of water in containers and potential breeding receptacles that may be in their vicinity.