Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
City residents urged to safeguard themselves as fogging exercise continues
Chief Vector Control Officer, Kenneth Stephens
“We need you to help us help you,” said Chief Environmental Officer, Kenneth Stephens, when he commented on the fogging exercise that is currently ongoing in the city. He was at the time highlighting the various measures that citizens should undertake in order to safeguard themselves during the actual fogging process.
Stephens said that fogging is carried out during the hours of 18:00 and 21:00 hours and it is recommended that citizens opt to keep their doors and windows open during that period allowing a maximum amount of fog to enter the buildings to target mosquitoes within. However, at the same time, they should be sure to stay away from those entry points. In addition, it is crucial that all food and drinking water containers are properly covered as should be fish tanks and bird cages. In fact it is advisable to remove pets from the premises and kept away from the direct line of fogging activities, according to Stephens.
He also warned that persons should ensure that all naked flames should be extinguished during the activity.
These measures are required since fogging constitutes the use of chemicals that could be detrimental to one’s health if they are exposed for a prolonged period. It is for this reason that fogging is done on a rather sporadic basis and not continuous.
“We have got to be careful when it comes to fogging because we are talking about the use of chemicals that can be hazardous to both people and animals if they are not used in the right proportions.
And then again we try not to expose people too often, so it is not an activity we can engage in all the time.”
Stephens explained that fogging usually targets the adult mosquito populations, and it is very important that measures be put in place to eliminate breeding sites.
In addition to the work that the municipality is mandated to do, Stephens revealed that there are things that citizens can do within their environment to help in the fight against mosquito infestation, such as ensuring screening and covering all water storage receptacles, disposing of unwanted tin cans, plastic cups, bottles, styrofoam boxes and cups, coconut shells and other articles capable of holding water in the appropriate manner.
He warned that persons should examine their flower vases with water and ensure that there is no breeding of mosquitoes in there. As an added feature, the Vector Control Department will be distributing flyers advising citizens on their role in helping to reduce the prevalence of vectors. The municipality is collaborating with the Georgetown Prison Service to de-silt and clear surface drains and alleyways.
Already fogging exercises have been concluded in the areas of North Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt, Tucville, Festival City, Stevedore Housing Scheme, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Guyhoc, Industrial Estate, East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt, Laing Avenue, Yarrow Dam, and River View.
The anti-mosquito campaign, according to Public Relations Officer Royston King, includes larviciding, which involves the use of an insecticide that specifically targets against the larval life stage of an insect. King said that this aspect of the campaign will be characteristic of spraying all streets, alleyways and drains. And then there will also be the process of adulticiding which includes the fogging of open spaces. The process is expected to continue over the next two weeks.
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