Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Public health departments and parish councils in eastern Jamaica are ensuring that potential breeding sites of the anopheles mosquito, which transmits malaria, are eradicated.

Some 14 anopheles breeding sites were identified in St. Mary and are being eliminated, said a representative from the parish's health department.

"We have engaged in oiling of water collection as well as fogging," said the representative. Breeding sites were identified in areas such as Robin's Bay, Annotto Bay, Marlborough, Mason Hall, and Port Maria, the capital.

"The elimination of these sites started last week Monday night. The rains have been hampering us slowing down the progress that we would have made, but we will continue until the first week of January," the source said.

Taking into consideration the Ministry of Health's warning against persons travelling to areas affected by malaria, who might contract the disease and bring it back to their rural communities, the eastern public health departments are ensuring that the anopheles mosquito is eliminated.

"We cannot restrict people, so what we are doing is having public education in advising residents to be careful in travelling to affected areas," said the representative of the St. Mary Public Health Department.

Breeding sites are being treated and eliminated in conjunction with the parish council's year-round gully-cleaning programme, with the focus now being on areas where water settles.

In St. Thomas, Clinton Gordon, secretary manager of the parish council, said that since last week, potential breeding areas are being contained.

"We have worked with the Ministry (of Health) to identify drains and gullies which are potential breeding sites, and we have been cleaning them out," said Mr. Gordon.

Extensive list

He noted that the list is quite extensive and cleaning has taken place at Brown's Gully and Bamboo River in Morant Bay and within the Springfield community of Duhaney Pen.

Drain and gully cleaning is currently being undertaken in sections of the eastern parts of St. Thomas, such as Dalvey, Golden Grove and Bath. The Yallahs River, in western St. Thomas, is currently dry so it is of no concern as a breeding site.

"We are working on the areas which are more prone to water settlement," said Mr. Gordon.

He added: "I am appealing to the residents, please do not fill back these drains and gullies with debris. Allow them to flow freely."

Acting chief public health inspector in Portland, C.L. Ramtulla, said fogging is being done in the parish.

"We are looking at the anopheles mosquito breeding sites, treating those that can be treated."

Since December 2, other methods to ensure the elimination of breeding sites have been employed, such as inspection and larvicidal treatment (killing of laval pests using chemicals).

"This is an on going programme of mosquito control. But the emphasis is on finding the anopheles breeding sites," said Mr. Ramtulla.