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Government is even celebrating Mosquito Awareness Week!

The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has announced it is celebrating Mosquito Awareness Week from May 7 to 11, 2018. Photo: Internet Source
Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr Lionel E. Michael said it is imperative that we reduce mosquito breeding sites to reduce the Aedes population. Photo: Tameika Malone/Antigua Observer/File
Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr Lionel E. Michael said it is imperative that we reduce mosquito breeding sites to reduce the Aedes population. Photo: Tameika Malone/Antigua Observer/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It seems like there is a new trend in the Territory where every issue is getting its own week or even a month. The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has announced that it is celebrating Mosquito Awareness Week.

According to a Government Information Services (GIS) press release, “Residents are being reminded to continue their efforts at reducing mosquito breeding sites, as the Territory prepares to observe Mosquito Awareness Week.”

The Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr Lionel E. Michael told GIS, the week will be observed from May 7 to 11, 2018 under the theme “Small Bite, Big Threat. Fight the Bite, Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites.”

Why the need?

He said the week is also important “because the likelihood of vector-borne diseases developing and spreading in the region is very high.” He added, “That is why it is imperative that we reduce mosquito breeding sites to reduce the Aedes population,”.

According to Government spokeswoman Natasha Lettsome, “As part of the week of activities, the Environmental Health Division will scale up existing initiatives, encourage and mobilise community groups to take action in fighting mosquitoes and educate the community about the department’s Vector Control Unit.”

Mr Michael said his department will also distribute educational materials, have discussions and make presentations to the community. There will be school visits and collaboration with ‘Bug Out’ on Virgin Gorda, according to the same press release issued May 4, 2018.

Where are the statistics on this matter?

There are no statistics in the VI on illness or death caused by the many mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquito Awareness Week is an initiative of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to strengthen existing programmes by member states and to generate public mosquito awareness, which is aimed at protecting the populace from bites and eliminating the existence of mosquito breeding sites, according to GIS.

8 Responses to “Government is even celebrating Mosquito Awareness Week!”

  • Yes (07/05/2018, 13:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    soon they going have a broke man week lol
  • huh (07/05/2018, 17:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is downright dumb! Have we lost our minds? Find something useful to do
  • ABC (07/05/2018, 18:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Monkey see monkey do
  • Wendy (07/05/2018, 23:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a good cause
  • Music (08/05/2018, 08:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    GIS trying to justify their existence!
  • Seer (08/05/2018, 10:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is beyond ridiculous and stupid. All these made-up celebration/week awareness takes away from the ones that are important. Like Child Abuse Awareness which was last month but didn’t seem to hear much about it because there’s so many unnecessary celebration/awareness. I am not saying the information that they are preparing to give is unnecessary, but to make this a thing is downright waste of resources.
  • fact check (09/05/2018, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The statistics are there. Did anyone ask?
    People complain about everything. When disease break out they complain that there wasn’t enough awareness about the risks. Scheups.


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