Dominica to also benefit from regional initiative to combat vector-borne diseases
The Caribbean Public Health Agency’s CARPHA, through its Pandemic Fund (PF) Project, has launched a regional strategy to mitigate the effect of mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. This program recently saw the transfer of 21 fogging machines and the associated pesticide chemicals to help with vector control in seven member states, including Dominica.
The incentive for this endeavour comes as the Caribbean faces increased threats from vector-borne diseases. The year 2023 saw an alarming increase in Dengue occurrences throughout the Americas and Caribbean, making it the highest year for documented incidents. This tendency has unfortunately continued into 2024, needing immediate intervention. Fogging devices help manage mosquito populations by distributing insecticides in small droplets, effectively targeting adult mosquitos in their breeding and feeding grounds.
The chemical delivered to the member states, Kontrol 30/30, is a pyrethroid, a synthetic pesticide that closely resembles natural insecticides generated from chrysanthemum flowers. These compounds were explicitly chosen to tackle pesticide resistance, resulting in excellent efficacy in lowering adult mosquito populations.
Dr. Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s Ad Interim Executive Director, emphasizes the need for proactive health interventions.”This newest acquisition by the PF project provides a timely boost to our vector control operations. It demonstrates our commitment to assisting our Member States in combating the ongoing threat of mosquito-borne diseases. CARPHA hopes to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases by providing Member States with both machines and the required chemicals to protect communities,” Dr Indar stated.
Furthermore, Dr. Horace Cox, the Acting Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention, and Control, reminded vector control staff to follow standard operating protocols when calibrating and maintaining the newly introduced machines.
Along with Dominica, the following six countries will benefit from this initiative: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. This allocation allegedly demonstrates CARPHA’s commitment to provide specialized resources and support to member nations, particularly in response to the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
This vector-borne disease management project is part of CARPHA’s overall objective of preparing for and responding to public health emergencies in the Caribbean. The group continues committed to promoting awareness, teaching communities about effective mosquito control measures, and providing crucial resources to member states. Initiatives such as Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week are critical in promoting solutions for eliminating mosquito breeding areas and protecting vulnerable populations from bites.
Visit the Caribbean Mosquito Awareness website to learn more about mosquito-borne diseases and how to protect your neighbourhood.
CARPHA’s ongoing commitment to helping its member states aims to play an essential role in improving vector control activities, ensuring that communities are adequately prepared to address and manage the dangers associated with mosquito-borne diseases.