Westmoreland Aedes index falls for third straight month

Health officials in Westmoreland say mosquito breeding across the parish has eased steadily over the last three months, according to the latest Aedes index readings.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Marcia Graham told the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation’s recent monthly meeting that the Aedes index — the share of inspected homes and premises found with Aedes aegypti breeding — dropped from 10.4 per cent in April to 9.6 per cent in May, then to 8.4 per cent by the end of June.

She welcomed the improvement but pressed residents not to let their guard down against dengue and other diseases spread by mosquitoes.

“So, we are thankful but we do know that all it takes is for a shower of rain, new breeding sites to be created and complacency on the part of our fellow citizens for this trend to go back in the wrong direction,” Dr. Graham said.

She asked householders and workers to run weekly “search and destroy” sweeps at home, on the job and at places of worship to wipe out breeding spots. Protective clothing that covers bare skin was recommended, especially in the early morning and evening, along with insect repellent, mosquito nets and screened windows.

Vector-control crews, she noted, are still concentrating on high-risk districts and places linked to suspected mosquito-borne illness.

Dr. Graham also reported that laboratory results cleared four deaths in Westmoreland this year that had been suspected as dengue- or leptospirosis-related; both infections were ruled out. She asked the public to keep backing the vector-control teams as the parish seeks to stay clear of dengue and leptospirosis.