WESTERN BUREAU:
AMID REPORTS of an infestation of mosquitoes in sections of western Jamaica, The Western Health Authority (WHA) has appealed to the public to stop dumping rubbish indiscriminately because this encourages the breeding of mosquitoes.
The appeal came after residents in sections of Montego Bay reported an influx of the insects following heavy rains in the west within the past few weeks.
Regional Environmental Health Officer, Noel Reid said, however, that although the WHA has not received any specific reports of mosquito infestation recently, such infestation could have been caused by the accumulation of water caused by indiscriminate dumping and littering.
"The general public has the habit of littering and dumping indiscriminately and some of what that has been disposed serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes," Mr. Reid told The Gleaner yesterday.
He said drink boxes in particular became receptacles for water and fertile breeding ground.
"The majority of what being is dumped is drink boxes and those are perfect for catching water and ultimately breeding mosquito," he stated.
He added that in order for the public to play its role effectively in combating mosquitoes there must be an immediate stop to the practise of dumping in places where this should not happen. "The public must stop the practice of littering all over the place," he said.
Mr. Reid added that the large amount of empty lots around Montego Bay could also serve as another breeding ground for mosquitoes. He said that the public should not to dump garbage in these lots. "There are plenty of open lots around Montego Bay that needs to be bushed (cleaned)," he stated.
"Whenever the public dump in these places the chances of mosquitoes breeding there increases."
He encouraged the public to store garbage in a safe place until the garbage collection truck comes into their communities.
"Garbage should be stored properly and safely until the garbage trucks arrive," Mr. Reid remarked.
He said that the public should be extremely careful with the insects because they often carry diseases. "As a matter of fact whenever there are mosquitoes the likelihood of mosquito-borne diseases increase," Mr. Reid said.
