Controlling Mosquitos, virus reports regionally on the rise says EHD

#TurksandCaicos, June 12, 2023 – Due to the recent rainfall throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Environmental Health Department (EHD) hereby advise residents, homeowners, apartment owners and businesses to remove all debris, refuse/garbage from their premises and dispose of them at the public landfill/solid waste disposal sites on your respective island.

The removal of debris and refuse/garbage from your premises will reduce mosquito breeding sites and prevent mosquito borne diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. Several countries in the Caribbean are reporting higher than expected numbers of cases of dengue. Dengue can result in mild or severe illness and in some cases can be life threatening.

As the Environmental Health Departments Vector Control Unit continues to monitor and treat mosquito breeding sites, homeowners, apartment owners and business owners are also being advised to treat standing water on your premises by using cooking oil or any other environmentally friendly oils to prevent mosquito breeding.

In addition, residents and businesses are encouraged to be vigilant by discouraging the growth and reproduction of mosquitoes by taking the following precautions:

• Check around buildings for anything that could hold water, inspect your home and yard weekly.
• Turn containers over or cover them.
• Get rid of or cover old tires
• Properly dispose of all garbage/refuse
• Cover boats, children’s pools, etc.
• Clean rain gutters and make sure they are flowing properly
• Check screens for holes
• Tightly cover water drums and rain barrels