KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday said there will be an increase in vector control activities to reduce mosquito-breeding sites and decrease mosquito infestation in communities in light of the recent heavy rainfall.

According to a release from the MOH, special emphasis will be placed on Clarendon, St Thomas and St Catherine, which were the three parishes most affected by the rainfall.“The entire Environmental Health Services within the ministry has been mobilised and tasked with implementing measures to address the potential threats posed by this natural hazard,” the MOH stated.Some of the enhanced vector control activities include:• Enhanced fogging in all parishes• Increased larvicidal work• Extended hours of work by vector control staff• Investigation and response to complaints• Health promotion• Procurement of additional reserve chemical stocks• Assessment of transportation and deployment based on needThe release added that as it relates specifically to Clarendon, in which approximately 57 communities were impacted by flooding, plans are also under way to re-engage the Temporary HEART trained Vector Workers.This, the MOH said, is expected to result in an improved capacity of the parish to respond to the needs of the communities served.They also explained that the increased mosquito infestation being experienced island wide with reports of “large, black, strange-looking” mosquitoes is similar to what was observed in 2014 when heavy rains fell after a prolonged drought.This resulted in the breeding of Aedes Taeniorhynchus, a fairly large, black salt marsh mosquito, which inundated these communities.The Aedes Taeniorhynchus is one of the main species of mosquito identified in this recent infestation. This mosquito is not known to transmit any vector borne diseases like Dengue or Zika V, but is a major nuisance as it aggressively seeks a blood meal from human and animals, the ministry explained.It further urged the public to play their part to reduce mosquito-breeding sites. “Everyone is being urged to search for and destroy any potential mosquito-breeding site in and around their homes.”