Droning the homes of mosquitoes

Feb 16, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Zika epidemic “is spreading explosively” around the world, and city officials particularly in towns and cities in the Americas have been implementing all sorts of methods to control it, including traditional mosquito control techniques such as spraying pesticides and emptying standing water receptacles where mosquitoes breed etc. But here in Georgetown our municipal officials seem much more interested in cosmetic activities such as the refurbishing of the Kitty Market, the setting up petting zoos repairing and repainting City Hall and getting involved in traffic policing. Why is it that in the midst of such a global epidemic, the only proactive response we are seeing in our capital is the fogging exercise that is being conducted by the Ministry of Public Health?
Where are all of the Sanitary Inspectors who used to encourage homeowners, hotel owners etc over the years, to eliminate any standing water they see, such as in outdoor buckets and flowerpots?. What happened to the Rodent & Vector workers who used to spray our yards? The Mayor and Town Clerk ought to know that as long as conditions in our city allow for the mosquito to reproduce, each and every citizen would be at risk against the mosquito. Not only the central government but the City Council has to mobilize so we do not lose this battle.
The sanitary inspectors need to visit each and every yard in our capital and spray each one to exterminate the mosquitoes. They need to check all of these black water tanks to see if they are sealed properly. Mosquitoes actually begin their lives under water. Females will lay their eggs in just about any standing pool of water they can find, so that’s where you strike first. With today’s technology that is available, the Georgetown City Council can use drones, both to monitor potential breeding sites and to deliver larvicide.
It is quite simple and straight, the Zika virus—like dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses—is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The most effective control measures we need to take are the prevention of mosquito bites and the reduction of mosquito populations. Come on City Council, there is no time to lose, this is no time to expending a large portion of your revenue sprucing up the Merriman’s Mall, and chasing the minibus and taxi drivers and vendors around town. This is time to place all of your resources in the fight against Zika.
Mark Roopan

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Droning the homes of mosquitoes

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