Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says there is no evidence that mosquitoes are migrating from Venezuela to Trinidad, despite concerns raised by residents in Icacos about a surge in mosquito activity in the peninsula.
Residents in Icacos, Fullarton and Cedros have been grappling with unusually high mosquito concentrations and are calling on authorities for immediate assistance.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Bodoe said the Ministry of Health will soon deploy the Insect Vector Control Division (IVCD) to address the situation.
“The IVCD will perform perifocal activity which involves verification of the reports and community household inspections to identify mosquito breeding sites and destroy all evidence of breeding,” he explained.
“Where high concentrations of adult mosquitoes are identified, the IVCD team will conduct chemical spraying via truck-mounted ULV and hand-held thermal fogging using an established schedule of treatment.”
Dr Bodoe also addressed speculation about mosquitoes crossing from Venezuela into Trinidad.
“We have no evidence to suggest a migration of mosquitoes from Venezuela to Trinidad,” he said.
“In any event, Trinidad is already endemic to the mosquito species responsible for spreading the common mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, zika and malaria.”
Dr Bodoe acknowledged that infected mosquitoes could theoretically be transported across the border and cause localised outbreaks, but said the health system is well-equipped to detect and manage these risks.
“Diseases like dengue and chikungunya are routinely monitored through our national surveillance network,” he said.
He noted that the ministry also employs various preventive measures, including mosquito control at all airports and health monitoring at official southern ports.
“At ports where travellers from Venezuela arrive by boat, the IVCD conducts passenger fever surveillance and random sampling for malaria identification,” he said.
Dr Bodoe added that public health teams are on alert for signs of mosquito-borne illness.
“The Ministry of Health, through its national surveillance network, monitors health facilities for suspected cases with a high index of suspicion for potential malaria cases,” he explained.
On Wednesday, residents urged the authorities to initiate extended hours at the Cedros and Icacos Health Centres due to the mosquito infestation.
In Gran Chemin Road, Icacos, resident Calliston Grant said the mosquito problem has been ongoing for several years, worsening after rain when mosquitoes hatch. He said spraying should extend deeper into the bushes, about 10 feet up, to help control the problem. Showing bite marks on his hand, he noted that while some people use repellent, many prefer to stay indoors after dark.
In Fullarton, Steve Cooper also called for more spraying, pointing out that many breeding areas need to be treated with malathion to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
Cedros councillor Shankar Teelucksingh confirmed reports of increased mosquitoes in Cedros, Icacos, Fullarton, and Bonasse, noting that the rainy season brings a rise in mosquito numbers.
He said both the Ministry of Health and the regional corporation were working together to bring relief.