ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenada which has recorded 58 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, is staging a two day national clean-up campaign as health authorities move to reduce the number of illnesses associated with the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The Ministry of Health said that while there were 352 suspected cases of Zika, symptoms of other mosquito borne viruses have been reported in every parish of the tri island state.

“It has therefore become absolutely necessary to focus the fight on the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes the vector for these diseases,” the ministry said in announcing the clean-up activity for August 20 and 21.

It said that the activities will take place simultaneously in all parishes throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique beginning 6:00 am (local time)  on both days.

“This clean-up is part of a continuous campaign against the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes in Grenada, until it no longer poses a serious threat to our beautiful nation,” the statement said, noting that while attention has focused on the danger of microcephaly and its effect on un-born babies, “Zika can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare and sometimes life-threatening condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves of the body causing paralysis”.

The ministry said it is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) in organising the two-day event.