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Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has launched a large national campaign to control disease-carrying pests after Hurricane Melissa caused heavy flooding across several parishes.
At a press conference in Kingston on November 1, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said that more than 1,000 workers will be sent across the island to fight the expected increase in flies, rats, and mosquitoes. The flooding left standing water and piles of garbage that make it easier for these pests to breed.
Even though hurricanes can blow away many adult mosquitoes, the problem usually begins right after the storm passes.
Heavy rain and flooding leave behind countless pools of still water — in buckets, old tires, drains, and potholes — which are perfect breeding sites for mosquito eggs and larvae.
Some mosquito species lay eggs that can survive for months in dry conditions and hatch only when they are covered with water again. So, when a hurricane floods an area, those eggs suddenly come to life, producing a new wave of mosquitoes within days.
The warm, humid conditions that follow a hurricane help them multiply quickly. Garbage and debris left by the storm also collect water, giving mosquitoes even more places to breed.
With normal sanitation and waste collection disrupted, these conditions can lead to a mosquito population explosion.
This matters because mosquitoes spread diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, which can surge after disasters when communities are most vulnerable and health services are stretched thin.
Some of the Ministry’s staff and equipment were damaged by the hurricane, but resources are being moved from less-affected areas to those hit hardest, such as St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, and the Western Region.
Private pest-control companies are also being hired to help with spraying and other control measures.
Nearby countries will provide extra equipment and technical help. In addition, the government will hand out drum covers, mosquito repellents, and bed nets in affected communities.
Dr. Tufton said the main goal is to stop mosquitos from breeding and quickly reduce adult mosquito populations through fogging and other treatments. “We are moving fast to protect public health and prevent disease outbreaks,” he said.
Jamaica GIS.
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