GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is calling on the populace due to the recent rainfall over the past weekend, for the populace as well as visitors to wear light colored clothing at dusk; long sleeve shirts and pants; and use mosquito repellent to prevent being bitten by a mosquito that could possibly be carrying a mosquito borne disease.
Persons who suspect that they have a mosquito-borne disease should consult their family physician who based on your symptoms should refer the person to SLS Laboratory to confirm the clinical diagnosis.
The physician(s) once suspect a mosquito borne disease be it Zika, Chikungunya and/or Dengue, reports to the CPS. Upon receiving the report CPS will contact the patient to arrange for follow up as it relates to mosquito breeding sites in and around the persons’ immediate surrounding. During this follow up CPS’s surveillance team takes the opportunity to identify other epidemiological linked cases and to orient the person on protection, exposure, and prevention to mitigate the further spread and increase of cases.
CPS re-enforces its message that all residents and businesses need to take proactive measures to prevent mosquitos from breeding. Be on the alert for mosquito breeding sites and eliminate, especially after the heavy rainfall over the past weekend!
Actively destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water. Do not allow water to accumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, cemetery urns/vase or in pet dishes for more than two days. Throw out the water and turn them over every time it collects water.
Screen off cistern outlets, cover and screen septic tanks properly.
An increase in the mosquito population puts residents and visitors at risk. For information about dengue fever, zika and chikungunya prevention measures, you can call CPS 542-2078 or 542-3003 to report mosquito breeding sites or send us an email at surveillance@sintmaartengov.org
