Ms Alexander made the call in a Government Information Service (GIS0 Report on the topic of vector-borne illnesses in the territory and reminded that the mosquitoes have not gone anywhere.

“Mosquito and dengue are something that has always been spoken about and I know with the COVID-19 and a pandemic, some of the issues that we typically face have been put on the backburner,” she said.

Ms Henrietta Alexander appeared during a clip of GIS Report on the topic of vector-borne illnesses in the territory reminding that the mosquitoes have not gone anywhere.

Control depends on partnership with VI

“But mosquitoes don't go anywhere, and you know we have to be very vigilant in dealing with mosquito control. We do have a vector control unit that the team goes out on a daily basis to assess, monitor and treat where necessary one of the most important things that we typically speak to householders about is being responsible,” he said.

The Deputy CEO also urged members of the public to be accountable and responsible as it relates to keeping their surroundings free from items that can breed mosquitoes.

“Typically, when we go out to do inspections we find containers, buckets, up to the black 55-gallon drums, septic tanks, cisterns, and that pose a problem,” she said.

“We want to ensure that persons do their part, the community do their part. We have to work together, we must work together,” the Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer said.

Persons need to assess property

It was also revealed that a spike in dengue fever cases was seen in 2021 and, according to Ms Alexander, persons need to start by assessing their properties, especially after heavy rainfall, to eliminate any breeding sites for mosquitoes.

The Deputy CEO said in the little bottle caps, for example, mosquitoes can lay about 100-200 eggs.