WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Vector-control efforts across Westmoreland remain in high gear, with more than 34,000 premises inspected in February as health authorities continue to combat mosquito-borne diseases and reduce breeding sites.

Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, informed that 34,088 premises across 215 communities were visited during the period, resulting in the identification of 2,810 mosquito-positive sites and an Aedes index of 8.4 per cent.

Morris noted that while the Aedes index reflects a marginal decline when compared to January’s 8.33 per cent, the figure remains a concern for public health officials.

“This is slightly less than what it was in January… just within the same per cent, but a little down,” he stated.

He was speaking during the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation held recently in Savanna-la-Mar.

The Breteau index, which measures mosquito breeding relative to the number of houses inspected, also recorded a slight decrease.

“Our Breteau index was at 17.33 per cent, also a little down from where it was at 17.4 per cent in January,” he stated.

The parish’s fogging operations were scaled down during the period, following the conclusion of an intensified vector-control programme.

“We fogged 71 communities, which is significantly down from where it was in January of 116. However, during January we were doing an extended programme… but since the 14th of February we were only doing evening fogging because the extended programme had stopped,” Morris stated.

He further informed of improvements in the parish’s vector-control capacity through the acquisition of two additional pickups, bringing the fleet to seven pickups, as well as a Coaster bus.

He added that 10 new fogging machines and a new ultra-low volume (ULV) unit were also secured, increasing the total number of fogging machines to 24, of which 19 are currently operational.

Despite these gains, Morris stressed that sustained community involvement remains critical in reducing mosquito breeding.

He disclosed that inspectors identified 68,756 water containers, of which 5,909 were breeding mosquitoes, underscoring the need for residents to eliminate potential breeding sites.

“We are still seeing a significant amount of our containers breeding mosquitoes…so we need to remind our residents to continue the search-and-destroy in and around their premises,” Morris said.

He emphasised that proactive household action is key to preventing the spread of vector-borne illnesses.

“Don’t wait until a team goes there to have to treat those sources,” he implored residents.

— JIS