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Public urged to assist in reducing mosquito breeding sites

- Environmental Health Division says mosquito-borne diseases remain a serious public health concern
Property owners and residents alike have been called on to assist in reducing mosquito breeding following periods of heavy rainfall. Photo: mosquitalk.com
Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, said Dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases remain a serious public health concern. Photo: Facebook/File
Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, said Dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases remain a serious public health concern. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Property owners and residents alike have been called on to assist in reducing mosquito breeding following periods of heavy rainfall.

In its annual notice on February 12, 2026, the Environmental Health Division, Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, said Dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases remain a serious public health concern. 

“Prevention begins at the household level. By taking simple steps after heavy or consistent rains, the  community can significantly reduce mosquito populations and disease risk.”

What you should do

People are encouraged to check their surroundings and eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya.

The community is encouraged to Fight the Bite: Prevent and Protect, Day and Night, by doing the following:

  • Turn over, empty, or discard water-collecting receptacles
  • Cover water storage containers tightly
  • Clear drains and gutters
  • Dispose of unused items that collect rainwater
  • Check yards, balconies, and surrounding areas regularly

Eliminate even small amounts of water

The notice reminded the public that mosquitoes breed rapidly in stagnant water, and even small amounts collected in everyday items can produce hundreds of insects within days. 

Buckets, drums, flower pots, discarded containers, old tyres, tarpaulins, and uncovered cisterns are common breeding sites when left with standing water.

The Environmental Health Division advised that overturning and properly managing these items is a simple but critical step in protecting households.

4 Responses to “Public urged to assist in reducing mosquito breeding sites ”

  • bvi (13/02/2026, 12:07) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government is the offender in mosquito control with all these drains open with water sitting in them you should set an example.

    • Government (13/02/2026, 13:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Governments are sooooooo corrupt the only example they can set is for criminals. As the old saying goes, the 9 most dreaded words ever spoken " I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
    • facts (13/02/2026, 14:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      BVI- you're so right. They don't even have a law that people should keep them yard clean the number of homes that has stagnant water in them back yards hmmm only God knows.
  • @facts (14/02/2026, 08:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    YOU SRE SO RIGHT , WHERE VTHE CULTURAL CENTER WAS , THERE IS A GHUT THERE FULL OF WATER / RIGHT IN FRONT OF FATIMA THERE ANOTHER GHUT THERE FULL OF WATER / LIKE THE ALLEY BETWEEN BOLO'S & BOBBYS , IT NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION , PIPES LEAKING THERE AND WHEN RAIN FALLS , PEOPLE HAVE TO WALK ON " PALETTE " AND PLY WOOD , SOONER OR LATER SOME INNOCENT PERSON IS GOING YO SLIP AND FALL THERE , BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT , AND FOOD IS PREPARD SND SOLD NEXT TO THAT DIRTY ENVIRONMENT • WHERE IS VINNIE ? ) ( WE KNOW OUR PREMIER ( AKA ) ( WATCH ME WUK ) KNOWS ABOUT IT ) AND THERE IS MANY MORE / THEN AGAIN THEY ARE NOT FIXING THE ISSUES WITH " SH*T WATER " RUNNING IN THE STREETS - DO THEY EXPECT JOINING WITH ELECTRICITY ( WHICH THEY ARE DEFENDING WITH ALL THEIR STRENGTH ) WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT PROBLEM ? WHAT IS THE SANITARY DEPARTMENT DOING ? (•¿• ) / WELL I SEE THE GOVERNMENT HAVE STARTED TO CLEAR THE GHUT BY SUPER VAL-U / HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T JUST STOP THERE • AND YES MASTER WEATIE WE GINE BE WATCHING & HOPING U WOULD START DOING SOME REAL WUK FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE PROUD OF YOU • , • ■


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