PHILIPSBURG – In an effort to increase awareness amongst the general public of St. Maarten regarding mosquito-borne illnesses, particularly about the Zika virus, Minister of Health Emil Lee has established cooperation with Ministry of Health in Curaçao to produce and market materials regarding mosquitos and mosquito-borne illnesses.
“Curaçao has done an excellent job in producing and providing awareness material. They have a video and brochures in different languages, which can be easily utilized in St. Maarten,” stated Minister Lee in Wednesday’s, June 1 press briefing.
As the war against mosquitos continues to affect the Caribbean region, the Ministry of VSA is working diligently to eradicate mosquito breeding sites and educate the public. Pooling resources together with Curaçao will shorten the time frame and decrease the cost of producing educational material for distribution in St. Maarten.
Curaçao is very excited about the various concepts on how they can get the message out on mosquitos, and that a formal cooperation agreement between the Ministries is being worked on. “In a time where everyone has limited resources and tight finances, I think that cooperation makes all the sense in the world,” said Minister Lee.
In addition, Collective Prevention Services (CPS), under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, have contracted a Vector Control Specialist for the next 6 months to assist CPS with the implementation of a national mosquito program.
