KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health and Wellness is assuring the public that chemicals being used in fogging activities are considered safe for human health.

Fogging is being conducted in several communities to control the increase in the mosquito population since Hurricane Melissa. Speaking with JIS News, Portfolio Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, said that fogging is a “safe method” for getting rid of mosquitoes that transmit dengue and other viruses.

He noted that over the years, the insecticides used have “improved significantly” and “are a lot more environmentally friendly”.

“It is not going to kill anyone or harm anyone, and it does get rid of the nuisance or the health risk of the mosquito. So, I would encourage persons to have the foggers do what they have to do,” he said.

“We encourage persons who may have an allergy or an allergic reaction to avoid being overly exposed to the mist… or apply a [damp] cloth over the nose until the mist dissipates. But it is a safe method,” the minister assured.

Medical Entomologist and National Programme Manager for Vector Control in the Ministry, Sherine Huntley Jones, told JIS News that the chemicals being used for fogging are certified and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

She assured that they are being used as directed by the manufacturers, so there is no need to fear any adverse health effects.

Huntley Jones noted that there has been an increase in fogging activities post Hurricane Melissa.

“The ministry is on high alert for increased transmission in mosquito-borne diseases and has enhanced its mosquito control programme, which includes expansion of our fogging schedule as well as our larvicidal schedule,” she said, noting that operations will decrease over time “as we become satisfied that we are not going to see an increase or have an outbreak”.

Where individuals experience any difficulty with the process, they are advised to contact the health department in their parish.

“We want to assure the public that the chemicals are safe and the activity of fogging is necessary at this time to mitigate…  the impact of the hurricane and a possible increase in the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases,” Huntley Jones said.

Meanwhile, she is encouraging members of the public to do their part in controlling mosquito breeding in and around their homes.

“This is by taking the time to search their yards and their environment for any containers or anything that can hold water that might increase mosquito breeding because the more the public does, the less the ministry will have to do. If we all begin to take action, then we can together and collectively see a reduction in the mosquito population and reduce that risk of an outbreak,” she pointed out.

The WHO advises that the amount of insecticide used during fogging is very small and dispersed at quantities that are only effective at killing small insects like mosquitoes. At these low concentrations, there are no expected adverse health effects on people who are occasionally exposed to the fog.

The organisation recommends an integrated vector management (IVM) approach for mosquito control, focusing on proven methods like Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and using United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered repellents (DEET, Picaridin), alongside environmental management (removing standing water) to prevent breeding.

— JIS