Culebra joins fight against dengue mosquitoes and outbreaks
The Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU) sponsored by the International Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of San Juan, and in collaboration with the Municipality of Culebra, announced it will begin a project to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito through a variety of community efforts.
The initiative aims to control mosquitoes and prevent epidemics caused by the viruses they transmit, the entity stated.
“Naturally, the coronavirus has been the main concern for many people, but we cannot let our guard down on mosquito-borne diseases because they remain a threat. We must educate ourselves and take concrete actions to control mosquito populations and mitigate the spread of diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya,” said Marianyoly Ortiz, associate director of the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit, a program of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust.
The project is undertaken through a collaborative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The vector control project is an important component in eliminating the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,” said Julio Soto, spokesperson for the Rotary Club of San Juan.
“The results will be vital for the community of Culebra and will also give way to future initiatives in Vieques, Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean. It is an honor for the Rotary Club to sponsor this project,” he said.
As part of the project, members of the PRVCU team will visit the communities every 45 days to work on reducing breeding sites and use larvicides in breeding sites that cannot be eliminated. Additionally, surveys to measure knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the Aedes aegypti mosquito will be carried out in each of the impacted residences.
To monitor the efforts and their effects on the mosquito population, surveillance AGO traps will be installed in various structures of the municipality. AGO traps do not use insecticides and do not harm people or pets. They are designed to attract and capture the female Aedes aegypti mosquito that is ready to lay her eggs, the entity explained.
“The need to control mosquitoes on this municipal island is a priority for me, because the wellbeing of my constituents is my priority as mayor,” said Culebra Mayor Edilberto Romero.
“Studying, controlling, and eliminating mosquitoes will help us reduce diseases transmitted by bites. Knowledge and education are the basis for the prosperity of a people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dulce María del Río-Pineda, co-founder and coordinator of Mujeres de Isla Inc. in Culebra, said, “We’ve actively participated in this effort in Culebra since first hearing about it. We look forward to collaborating and to helping our communities by addressing this health issue.”
“We want Culebra residents to continue to learn about mosquito bites and arboviral diseases so that they are aware that a bite could indicate the development of a serious illness and the need for early medical attention,” said Ortiz.
“Therefore, in compliance with health safety regulations, training will be carried out so that residents can participate in the project and take action to reduce mosquito populations across the municipality,” she added.
