GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), said on Thursday that mosquito fogging campaign has moved into high gear and is progressing well.
CPS continues to execute its fogging activity from 06.00am to 08.00am or 18.00pm to 20.30pm. Residents who would like to report an increase of mosquito activity in their area can call directly the mobile number 520-2874.
Fogging has already been completed in the following district areas: Middle Region, Sucker Garden, Defiance, Belvedere and Bishop Hill.
CPS on Thursday to Sunday will carry out fogging activities in the following areas: Dutch Quarter, Zorg & Rust, Union Farm, Nazareth, Illidge road, Hope Estate, Guana Bay, Point Blanche, Fort Willem, Great Bay, Rabbit Hill, Welgelegen, A.J.C. Brouwers road, L.B. Scot road, Bush road, The Villa, Zagersgut road, Carolita road, Mary’s Fancy, and Cul de Sac.
Residents in residential areas where fogging is taking place are requested to follow these guidelines: Leave all doors and windows open to allow the insecticide to enter the building or house; Prevent pets from coming in contact with the insecticide; Toys for children should be covered, stored away and washed as caution to ensure protection; All water containers and foodstuffs etc. must be well protected from exposure to the fogging.
Due to the recent rain activity, the vector control measure of mosquito fogging was postponed, and the public should keep this in mind if there is a rain event, the no fogging will take place.
CPS in the meantime advises communities to continue to destroy mosquito breeding spots; dress appropriately by wearing light colored clothing at dusk, long sleeve shirts and pants; and defend against being bitten by a mosquito by using repellent.
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. For additional information on mosquito breeding site elimination measures, you can reach CPS at 542-1122, 542-1123 or 542-3553.
