Latest update February 11th, 2025 2:15 PM
Jan 13, 2016 News
Vector control continues to be one of the top priorities of the Ministry of Public Health. In order to maintain its gains, the Ministry yesterday issued an advisory that it has commenced an extensive fogging exercise.
Fogging has been one of the key measures embraced by the public health sector to combat vector-borne diseases. Moreover, the Ministry through its Vector Control Services on Monday commenced fogging for vector control in identified communities.
Among them are: Kingston, Cummingsburg, Lacytown, Bourda, Alberttown, Queenstown, Bel Air, Bel Air Park, Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Lamaha Gardens, Newtown, Kitty, Campbellville, Subryanville, Prashad Nagar, Werk en Rust, Wortmanville, Lodge, Meadow Brook, Guyhoc, Guyhoc Park, Tucville, North East La Penitence, East La Penitence, East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt, Castello Housing Scheme, Albouystown, Alexander Village, Charlestown, North Sophia, South Sophia, Turkeyen, Cummings Lodge, Industry, Ogle, Meadow Bank, Rahaman’s Park, Mc Doom, Agricola, Eccles, Mocha, Timehri, Soesdyke and East Bank Demerara areas.
Fogging exercises are slated to commence at 17:30 hours daily and will continue until January 30, 2016, the Ministry has advised.
According to information disseminated by the Ministry, “these fogging exercises will kill the adult mosquitoes which carry mosquito-borne diseases. To ensure that the fogging exercise is most effective, residents in the targeted communities are reminded to open their windows to allow the fog mist into the buildings to kill the adult mosquitoes.”
And the Ministry has warned that in order to avoid any health problems, residents should cover all drinking water and secure all food stuff (uncooked and cooked) to prevent possible contamination. Residents are also urged to secure all domestic animals and poultry and keep persons who suffer from asthmatic conditions, young children and the elderly away from the direct flow of fog.
The Public Health Ministry has reminded too that vector control is a partnership. “While the Ministry will conduct this fogging exercise, residents are encouraged to keep their yards clean by removing all empty containers that can breed mosquitoes and to always sleep under mosquito nets so as to prevent mosquito-borne diseases,” the Ministry outlined in its statement.
Among the vector-borne diseases that the Ministry has been effectively tackling are: the Chikungunya virus, Dengue Fever and more recently the Zika Virus.
Based on reports filtered out by the Ministry, the latter mentioned virus has not yet infiltrated Guyana. But it was during mid-last year an outbreak of the Zika virus was reported in neighbouring Brazil. Ever since, the Ministry has been appealing to Guyanese to take all necessary precautions to avoid contracting the virus which is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Polynesiensis mosquitoes.
Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the flavivirus genus. In humans, it causes a disease known as “zika” (pronounced zee-kuh), “Zika disease” or Zika fever.
Zika is related to dengue Yellow Fever, West Nile and Japanese encephalitis.
Symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash and sometimes swelling of the limbs. Some persons may also experience vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
According to information released from the Health Ministry, in order to control the spread of the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Polynesiensis mosquitoes, persons should conduct systematic searches in and around their environment for any stored, exposed body of water and remove these sources of mosquito breeding.
Similar actions are urged to prevent other mosquito-borne viruses, according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud.
Natural substances, household insecticidal sprays, coils, candles, among other things, can assist in reducing the presence of mosquitoes around the home, the Ministry has advised.
In addition, screening of windows, doors and other openings along with closing-up in the evening can also aid in reduction of mosquitoes in the home. The Public Health Ministry has cautioned against the storing of tyres and other containers that can accommodated stagnant waters.
According to the Ministry, it is taking all measures and is appealing to the public, too, to help ensure that the Zika Virus does not enter Guyana.
The Health Ministry has outlined that in order to prevent the entry of the Zika Virus into Guyana, persons should avoid unnecessary travel to places where the virus is known to be present.
Persons who experience any of the symptoms, including fever, are advised to seek medical advice at the nearest health facility or call the Ministry of Public Health on 226-5124 or 226-1224 or e-mail [email protected].
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