KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspector (JAPHI) says as the world recognises World Malaria Day on April 25, the country has remained malaria-free for five consecutive years.

JAPHI in a news release Tuesday said it wished to promote continued national effort in the control of vectors of this and other mosquito-borne diseases and encouraged its members to be even more vigilant in their efforts to control these vectors.

JAPHI said Jamaica has numerous Anopheles mosquito naturally occurring breeding sites and so is still at risk for the re-introduction of malaria.

“We encourage communities to carry out source reduction activities such as clearing overgrown vegetation and covering of areas of still water with vegetation, repair leaking pipes, and cleaning of drains with algal growth that are ideal breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes and the use of biological control method, such as predator fish (ticky-ticky) to reduce adult mosquito population.”

“Furthermore avoid mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing over the arms and legs, use insect repellent (with DEET), use screens on windows and doors (personal protection). We urge people travelling to malaria endemic countries to take prophylaxis medication to prevent malaria infection prior to the visit,” the release said.