Residents of the Virgin Islands are urged to unite in the fight against mosquito bites as Mosquito Awareness Week continues.

Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Lionel Michael said that Government alone cannot combat mosquito breeding we need the cooperation and involvement of the community.

“We need neighborhoods watching and fighting mosquitoes,” he said.  One of the most important things that householders can do according to the Chief is to check their premises on a weekly basis.

According to Mr. Michael, the Aedes mosquito loves to be around people and so even though you clean up your yard and your neighbor’s yard is not clean the mosquitoes will leave your neighbor’s yard and come to your yard.  Mosquitoes can travel up to 1200 feet.  “That is why it is imperative that the community unites against mosquito bites,” he said.

An important part of this collaboration, Mr. Michael noted, is for the community to adhere to the Department of Waste Management’s rules and dispose of trash, rubbish and bulky items responsibly and to make themselves available for education.

Persons are also encouraged to report mosquito related problems that they cannot manage to the Environmental Health Division at 468-5110.

As part of Mosquito Awareness Week activities, today May 8 there will be rapid assessments of daycare centres and community outreach at One Mart.  On May 9 there will be a presentation at the Road Town Clinic. On May 10 there will be collaboration with Project Bug Out on Virgin Gorda, a presentation at the East End Clinic, and community awareness at Fine Foods Supermarket and Rite Way located in Major Bay.

Closing out the activities on Friday, May 11 there will be an open display in Road Town in front of Vanterpool Enterprises and a presentation at the Cane Garden Bay Clinic.

Persons are encouraged to come out and support the events and learn more about what can be done to reduce mosquito breeding sites within the Territory.

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