Amid jitters over dengue fever and other vector-borne viruses, the Mayor and City Council’s Public Health Department says it has implemented several measures to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds within the city.
Stabroek News spoke yesterday to Dr Suzette Reynolds, of the city’s Public Health Department, about the methods the council has been employing.
Dr. Reynolds explained that the council has maintained ongoing eradication efforts since the dry season. “During the dry season, we conducted a fogging exercise in collaboration with the Ministry of Health,” she noted. This exercise involved dispersing insecticides through fogging machines to target adult mosquitoes and reduce their population.
However, with the onset of the rainy season, the council had to modify its approach since the wet conditions provide more potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, necessitating a shift in strategy. “Given the ongoing rainy season, our approach had to be altered. Therefore, our staff from various districts have been actively visiting communities to conduct clean-ups of any objects that can serve as potential breeding grounds.” These objects include discarded tires, containers, and other items that can collect standing water, which is ideal for mosquito larvae.
In addition to these clean-up efforts, the council has introduced the use of a chemical called Aquatain to various waterways. Aquatain forms a thin film on the water’s surface, which suffocates mosquito larvae and pupae, effectively disrupting their life cycle and preventing them from maturing into adult mosquitoes. “This method allows us to target the mosquitoes at their most vulnerable stage,” the health specialist explained.
Another measure involves the use of Abate granules, which have been distributed to residents for application in their water tanks. These granules release a larvicide that prevents mosquito larvae from developing into adults. By targeting water storage containers, the council aims to reduce the mosquito population at the source.
Dr Reynolds also emphasised that the combination of these methods – fogging, clean-up campaigns, chemical treatments, and community engagement – is crucial for effectively controlling the mosquito population and reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
