GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is advising communities after this past weekend’s heavy rainfall to be proactive and regularly check their yards and be on alert for potential mosquito breeding sites and eliminate them.
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is distinguished by its markings such as alternate black and white horizontal stripes. However, it is only the female vector Aedes Aegypti mosquito that spreads mosquito borne diseases.
Vectors are small organisms that carry serious diseases. Just one bite from an infected mosquito can be a threat to our way of living.
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 and to adult mosquito.
Actively and properly dispose of tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vase, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water.
Empty and turn over containers that hold water; remove debris from rain gutters and downspouts regularly; drain or fill low places on your property where water collects and stands for more than five to seven days; make sure permanent water containers in your yard are tightly covered and insect-proof; screen off the cistern’s outlets properly with mesh wire.
Cover trash containers/garbage cans to keep rainwater from accumulating; drain old tires by recycling them; keep boats and canoes/kayaks drained, covered or overturned, empty or covered unused swimming pools.
It is very important to check around your yard at home or around your business to make sure there is no clear/clean standing water after a rain event in order to prevent mosquito breeding sites. All residents are advised to remove all potential mosquito breeding sites in order to reduce the mosquito population.
Keep Sint Maarten mosquito-free and avoid mosquito bites.
