Mosquito eradication has been ramped up in low-lying areas of south Trinidad after the Ministry of Health confirmed two more cases of the Zika virus.
The victims, who live in Oropouche and Barataria, are being treated at public health institutions. So far 11 people have been diagnosed with the virus, which causes microcephaly in babies and other neurological disorders.
In an interview yesterday, chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation Leo Doodnath, said a public health meeting was held yesterday, shortly before the ministry issued a statement confirming the new Zika cases.
Doodnath said an ongoing dynafogging exercise was on-stream to kill the adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit the virus.
“We also have mosquito awareness month which we launched in March. We will continue our public education drive so that people will be conscious about upkeeping their surroundings,” Doodnath said.
Saying the fight against Zika should be everyone’s priority, Doodnath said public awareness was key to preventing the spread of the virus.
“We have to take steps to reduce the breeding grounds of the mosquito,” he said.
Alderman Shankar Teelucksingh said areas in Icacos and Cedros which are below sea level, are being targeted.
“We are cleaning a lot of drains and watercourses. We are doing house visits and the corporation is well-equipped to fight Zika as we recently purchased four de-foggers and a Ultra-low Volume (ULV) machine,” Teelucksingh said. He added that flyers were being distributed to build public awareness about the mosquitoes.
The chairman of the Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation, Premchand Sookoo, also said his corporation intended to dynafogg every corner of the nine electoral districts starting on Monday. He said the Government had allocated $500,000 to combat Zika.
“We intend to work with the County Medical Officer of Health and the Insect Vector Control division to spray the areas. We are also calling on people to clean up their properties and throw away the old tyres and pots and pans which are breeding mosquitoes,” Sookoo added.
Ministry responds
In a statement yesterday, the ministry said after consulting with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the two cases were confirmed. There are at this time no confirmed cases in Tobago.
Both patients experienced an outbreak of rash, fever and generalised body pains.
“The Insect Vector Control Division; County Medical Officers of Health for St Patrick and St George West; the Siparia Regional Corporation and the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation were informed and field work has commenced,” the ministry said.
Citizens are being urged to take the following steps to prevent the infection:
- Dispose of all unwanted containers/items in the yard or environs which can collect water and become mosquito breeding grounds.
- Cover water containers such as barrels, drums or buckets with a mosquito-proof covering.
- Ensure that drains and guttering allow the free flow of water.
- Empty and scrub the sides of water vases or use dirt or sand instead to support flowers.
- Cover extremities when out in the evenings.
- Use bed nets that are tightly tucked under the mattress for protection at night.
- Use insect repellent that contains DEET as an active ingredient.