Aedes Aegypti Increase

No Cause for Alarm

The mosquito that can transmit dengue fever, Aedes aegypti, has increased in numbers since Hurricane Ivan. However, health authorities assure that there is no cause for alarm given that there are no cases of dengue in the Cayman Islands.

“The mosquito cannot therefore bite someone and pick up the virus, so the diseases cannot be transmitted, said Dr. Kiran Kumar, Director of Public Health Services.

Dr. Kumar also reported that currently the World Health Organisation is reporting no outbreaks of dengue fever in the western hemisphere.

Dr. Kumar clarified that Aedes egypti can transmit only dengue and yellow fever and only if they are present in a particular place. In addition to there being no cases of dengue and yellow fever in the Cayman Islands, there are no cases of other mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria or West Nile Virus.

Meanwhile MRCU says that Aedes aegypti usually exists on Grand Cayman in what the departments scientist call “barely detectable” numbers. The debris left in Ivan’s wake, however, has, with human help, created perfect breeding grounds for this potentially dangerous pest.

MRCU’s director, Dr. William Petrie, says Aedes aegypti feeds at dusk. Well-adapted to city life, its prime egg-laying spots are drink bottles (both glass and plastic) and cans. Also the mosquito is particularly attracted to Styrofoam containers and tires. “It likes to lay its eggs in damp containers that will catch rain water, like the little dish under a plant pot,” says Dr. Petrie.

MRCU has been inspecting areas in George Town and West Bay, collecting samples, treating with larvacide granules and talking to residents about mosquito habits. The unit has also been “backpack” and truck fogging to exterminate adults. Their efforts have already had an effect, since the unit has noticed decreasing numbers, particularly in neighborhoods that have been both treated by MRCU and had the debris cleaned up.

What should people do? Take the usual precautions against mosquito bites. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts if you’re going to be outside during prime pest biting times, at sunrise and sunset. Use insect repellent. Cover your bed with mosquito netting.

Many of us still have open eaves. Make fixing them a priority to cut down on the number of mosquitoes in your home. Keep exterior water containers covered. Most of us still have debris in our yards, but we should not let litter accumulate. Pick up cans, bottles and dinner containers.

The public can access information on the internet on the World Health Organization, Pan-American Health Organisation, and Center for Disease Control websites: www.who.int, www.paho.org, and www.cdc.org.