Publication: Sunday Sun
Paper Section And Page: 32A
Paper Date: Sun, Feb 10, 2002
Byline: Terry Ally
One dozen sites spanning the public and the private sectors have been named as
problem areas as far as the breeding of the sometimes deadly Aedes aegypti
mosquito is concerned.
They were named by the island's six polyclinics in their revised action plans to curb the dengue threat posed by the insect. Topping the list was the South Coast Sewerage Project which has created many breeding sites for mosquitoes as a result of the construction and installation of manholes. The increased flow of water into the Graeme Hall Swamp is also compounding the problem, according to a report from Randall Phillips Polyclinic. Public storm-water wells and defective drainage systems, which were not being properly maintained by the Ministry of Public Works, were similarly blamed. The mosquito was said to have been found in storm water wells, sewage wells and crab holes, another report said.
The Black Rock Polyclinic said that in
Pillersdorf Development, Grazettes, St Michael, there was an uneven watercourse
causing flooding and water
settlement, allowing for the breeding of mosquitoes. The Barbados National
Trust's Tyrol Cot was also cited as a location for scrutiny because of an
underground catchment of water and hollow bamboo stumps in which the mosquito
can breed.
In Grazettes Industrial Park there was habitual illegal dumping on a vacant plot of land while poor maintenance of wells and underground drains owned by the Barbados Investment Development Corporation contributed. Posing a problem as well was illegal dumping in Rogers Quarry. Officers also suspected wells on the Sandals/Paradise complex and at Berger Paints were positive. Poorly maintained storm water and sewage wells and septic tanks at the industrial sites at Brighton were also seen as high-risk.
Other areas attractive to mosquitoes were to be found at illegal dump sites in Haynesville and blocked silt traps in West Terrace.
The six polyclinics outlined their own action plans and these included flexitime for better coverage of premises; prosecution of habitual offenders; ensuring each home had a garbage can; a sustained mosquito surveillance programme for known high-risk areas and known positive homes; an education programme with schools, Government departments and non-governmental organisations; stepped up surveillance of known illegal dump sites; and an increase in daily inspections of premises.