VSA launches vector awareness campaign

Vector Control Awareness campaign members recently.

PHILIPSBURG–The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) Department plans to launch a Vector Control Awareness campaign themed, “If you clean it Up, we will pick it Up.”

The campaign will commence in May and is an extension of the successful Mosquito Breeding Sites Elimination and Clean-Up action that started on April 9.

The campaign aims to stimulate residents to clean up their premises and offers free pick-up of the cleaned-up debris in various districts.

“Our communities have a very high risk for mosquito breeding grounds. We hope that everyone will make good use of this opportunity to have unwanted debris picked up for free. Get rid of the old fridge, washing machine, tires, etc. Let us come pick it up for you. I believe it is a good way to support our community as we all take on the fight against mosquitos on the island,” said Public Health Minister Emil Lee on Wednesday.

Residents of the various districts are asked to clean their premises of unwanted debris and make this available on the public roadside for pick-up. Debris to be collected by the department of VROMI must be on the roadside by 7:00am. Debris placed after 7:00am may not be picked up. Please note that no debris will be collected from private yards or property unless authorised and instructed to do so.  

 Pick-up will take place in Sucker Garden; Middle Region; Dutch Quarter, Belvedere, Mount William, Defiance and Bishop Hill at 7:00am on May 8.

CPS will announce at a later date the pick-up day and time for the districts of Oyster Pond, Dawn Beach, Tamarind Hill, Guana Bay, Over the Pond, Illidge Road, Philipsburg, Over the Bank, Hope Estate, Cay Hill and Belair.

The Cash for Work project of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA that enabled 15 unemployed persons to be trained and certified to support the CPS vector control team has been very successful in controls and assessments thus far. Approximately 3006 premises were visited between April 9 and 19, and 953 homes were found open for inspection.

One in every seven homes was found positive for mosquito larvae. Based on these findings, the household index is 14 per cent. However, the threshold of the World Health Organization (WHO) is two per cent. Seeing the high risk of contamination, the vector team will be revisiting those areas again to organise for pick-up by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI.

The project is moving on next week to the Upper and Lower Prince’s Quarter districts. The campaign is headed by Project Manager Gerald Davelaar with the support of the VSA Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the World Bank.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/76092-vsa-launches-vector-awareness-campaign

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