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Pre-hurricane fogging begins in RT!

The fogging machine used by the Vector Control team of the Environmental Health Department on June 24, 2013. Photo: VINO
The scene at Scatliffe Alley in Road Town shortly after the machine had made its way past. Photo: VINO
The scene at Scatliffe Alley in Road Town shortly after the machine had made its way past. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A team from the Environmental Health Department took to the streets of Road Town late yesterday, June 24, 2013 as pre-hurricane fogging operations began.

The operations were described as part of sustained efforts to protect the community from Dengue Fever and the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This leg of the exercise is expected to last for three days and will be completed on June 27, 2013.

Vector Control Officers David Nibbs and Nicole Springette led the exercise in emergency fogging, which will eventually be carried out in Road Town and will include Wickham’s Cay 1 and 2, Treasure Isle, Tobacco Wharf, John’s Hole, Huntum’s Ghut, Lower Estate, Long Bush, Lower Joe’s Hill Road, Methodist Manse Road, Russell Hill, McNamara, Road Reef and Road Town Central.

Nibbs said the gaseous fumes being emitted from the fogging machine were non-toxic and harmless, but Vector Control Manager in the EHD, Mr. Minchington Israel, did issue an advisory warning that persons with respiratory illnesses, particularly asthmatics, should leave the areas being fogged for at least one hour.

This news site observed the team working in the area of Manse Road leading all the way to Road Town Central in its exercises yesterday.

Pre-hurricane fogging is also expected to take place from Tuesday, July 2 to Thursday, July 4, 2013 in Brewers Bay, Cane Garden Bay and Beef Island, including the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport.

In a press release issued earlier, Israel disclosed that, “Fogging will take place in the evenings between 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. until all the relevant areas are treated.”

According to the release, in the event of inclement weather such as rain, high winds, or because of unexpected delays, no fogging will be performed. Fogging will resume on the next available day until all areas are covered.

Residents were reminded that fogging only provides temporary relief from the mosquitoes while householders and property owners were asked to remain vigilant in preventing mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water around their homes and businesses recommended to conduct weekly inspections.

The Environmental Health Division functions under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

14 Responses to “Pre-hurricane fogging begins in RT!”

  • pat (25/06/2013, 14:51) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    In a day and age when other countries are banning these kinds of fogging, BVI continues with this health hazard. There is no guarantee that this is helping eradicate the mosquito population, rather it cold be creating a super bug as it gets immune to the spray. It also doesn't make sense for pre-hurricane when after hurricane there is more standing water. Look how thick the spray is? I would hate to be the employee handling the poison. There must be an easier and more affective way to control Dengue fever.
  • nonsense (25/06/2013, 15:39) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I swear more mosquitos bite me after they passed through town last night.
    • SCB (26/06/2013, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      WHAT HAPPEN TO SEA COWS BAY!!!!!!!!
      • @ SCB (27/06/2013, 18:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I agree with you as I also wondering what happen to Horse Path as well???? No fogging has been done in years in this area.
  • too hot (25/06/2013, 16:25) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    these fogging chemicals are a hazard to your health and have been banned in many countries, I would rather get bitten by the mozzies than inhale that stuff.
  • shelia (25/06/2013, 16:55) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    what baout people with asmar?
  • good to great (26/06/2013, 07:48) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    this is a good move do not mind the noise
  • i from here (26/06/2013, 12:14) Like (0) Dislike (122) Reply
    These island people and white people always crittercisintg everything that happen in my country Tortola. if ayo dont like whats going on, just leave and return to ayo country.
    • ... (26/06/2013, 22:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tortola is an island, so you are also an island person, id**t
    • pat (26/06/2013, 22:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      what does health hazards have to do with island and white people criticizing? And what does being "from here" have to do with concerns about personal health? That is such an ignorant statement and shows you can't think independently about bigger issues. THAT is stagnating BVI, not open dialogue.
    • a** (27/06/2013, 15:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      **a
  • Rato (27/06/2013, 03:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fogging program needs to be coordinated in order to control the mosquitoes. This haphazard approach brings no benefit to the country and is in deed a waste of money. The people from the environment health knows this fact. I live in west End and since the year starts they fogged once. Now tell me how can this control mosquitoes. Are we so poor a country that we cannot buy two fogging machines and two vans to pull them. I never see them doing any follow up fogging. They come once every six months which is a waste of time since the mosquito population would have multiply a hundred folds from one fogging to he next.


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