The Environmental Health Division within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs recently held a vector awareness roadshow in the northern communities of the island aimed at bringing awareness of vectors and vector borne diseases.

Chief Environmental Health Officer Parker Ragnanan says this activity is necessary and it is important that they target the communities to educate on ways to reduce the threats posed by vectors and vector-borne diseases.

“It is very important especially as we are about to enter the hurricane season where we have increased rainfalls. Generally, we see coinciding with heavy rainfall is an increase in our mosquito population as well as our rodent/rats population and we know both of these vectors are critical to us in Saint Lucia because they carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and vector borne diseases can be fatal and hence the reason we are creating the awareness, meeting with the communities and giving out information and telling people what they can do.”

Environmental Health Officer for Vector Control, Charletta Charles-Leon says the activity focuses primarily on vectors and it is her hope that the information on taking precautionary measures to protect against vector borne diseases will be well received.

“There are certain actions we would like the public to take when it comes to their communities, in terms of improving sanitation, ensuring that they have no water holding containers in and around their homes that can contribute to the proliferation of mosquitoes, no bulky waste or garbage around the home which may contribute to the proliferation of rats in and around their home. We are just trying to give the information that they need so that they can make the most positive choices to ensure that their health and safety is at the forefront.”

Ragnanan also called on families and communities to play their part and take action to protect themselves from vector borne diseases.

“Vector control is a personal responsibility. Persons must desire to do their part in terms of controlling vectors in their environment, at their homes and therefore, we see that we need to work together with communities, with people in order for us to achieve the desired impact in terms of reducing vectors and ultimately vector borne diseases.”

The vector awareness roadshow will continue this weekend in the south of the island starting from the community of Dennery to Soufriere.