St Lucia hosts Chikungunya education seminars

Local communities respond to government’s call-to-action to eliminate vector-borne diseases by organizing clean up campaigns.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations has left no stone unturned in the fight against Chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases.

Recently, ministry officials visited the Foundation Early Childhood Education Development Centre to inform preschoolers about the chikungunya virus. The preschoolers were read to from a book titled “Cleo the Bad Mosquito.”

Allison Isbert, Health Educator at the Ministry of Health said it is hoped that a “full community effort” will yield better results as children too can play an active part in combating chikungunya.

Environmental Health Officers are also visiting businesses and secondary schools island wide, with an aim to mobilize the entire country in combating vector-borne diseases.

Communities have been quick to respond.

In Vieux Fort, community members have partnered with schools to hold clean-up campaigns and education sessions, while on Sunday, Rose Hill community members initiated a clean-up activity that targeted potential breeding sites for the Aedes Aegypti, the vector responsible for both chikungunya and dengue.

“It was very commendable,” Environmental Health Officer, Charleta Charles said. “There were quite a number of people who participated in the activity and made it a success.”

Additionally, officers from the ministry inspected over 50 area homes for possible breeding sites such as drums, flower vases and tires, and provided information to residents on how to reduce the mosquito population in their immediate area.

The clean-up campaigns are supported by the Ministry of Health, through the Environmental Health Department and the Bureau of Environmental Health. (SLU GIS News)

Leave a Comment

Security Question * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

Powered by WordPress