PHILIPSBURG–Collective Prevention Services (CPS) advises all visitors to the island to wear light-coloured clothing at dusk, long-sleeve shirts and pants, and to use mosquito repellent to prevent being bitten by a mosquito that could possibly be carrying a mosquito-borne disease such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika
.
In a press release on Wednesday, CPS said that during the Carnival season, due to recent rainfall, taking preventative measures into consideration can assist in preventing one from getting a mosquito-borne disease. Mosquito-borne diseases such as zika, dengue fever and chikungunya are transmitted by an infected/diseased female Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is distinguished by its markings. The body of the mosquito has alternate black and white horizontal stripes. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito lays her eggs in clear (clean) stagnant water. Within eight days the mosquito can complete its life cycle from egg to larvae to pupae to adult.
Persons are also requested to keep their homes, yards, neighbourhoods and work environment free of potential mosquito-breeding sites. An increase in the mosquito population puts residents at risk.
For information about mosquito-borne disease prevention measures, call tel. 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322 or 542-1570, or email
surveillance@sintmaartengov.org .
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75850-prevent-mosquito-borne-diseases-this-carnival
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