The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that the new insecticide - Ridokill - which it has been using to destroy the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria, has been providing positive results.

The Health Ministry was forced to change from the insecticide - malathaion - in April after the mosquitoes became resistant to it.

"It is working very well, and so far we have not had much complaints," Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester, chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health, told The Gleaner yesterday. "It (the insecticide) seems to be more acceptable as we have had fewer complaints from the communities."

The chief medical officer stated that persons complained of respiratory problems when the former insecticide was used. She said the ministry has, over the past weeks, on average, identified zero to six new cases of malaria each week.

However, she noted that there were no reported cases of malaria last week, but warned persons to continue to be cautious in light of the recent heavy rains. She stated that her ministry will continue fogging and spraying of affected areas.