The effects from various mosquito-borne diseases represent a “big hole” in regional health security and there must be a collaborative approach to eradicate this scourge.
So said Dr James Hospedales, executive director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), while speaking at the launch of the Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week held at CARPHA's head office, Federation Park, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
“If a mosquito-borne disease can spread so easily it is a hole in our health security,” Hospedales said, adding that there were no specific treatments, vaccines or preventative drugs for such diseases as treatment was mainly for the symptoms.
The event which was a collaboration between CARPHA, the Caricom Secretariat and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) was themed, “Small Bite, Big Threat: Fight the Bite, Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites.”
Hospedales urged that all mosquito-breeding sites be eradicated, especially with the advent of the rainy season, adding that this would assist in reducing the negative economic impact on the region.
He said Zika virus transmission has been reported in 37 countries of the Americas and since then the virus has been reported in 14 CARPHA member states.
The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health last week revealed that 23 people had tested positive for the Zika virus in T&T and a second confirmed case of a pregnant woman had been diagnosed.
Regional corporations throughout the country have been on campaigns to rid potential breeding grounds of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the virus, and the programmes are expected to be boosted in the coming weeks as the rainy season has already begun.
The virus, Hospedales said, has been reportedly spread at the same rate as chikungunya, which was one infection per week.
“Despite much increased public education, despite vector control, this virus has just been rolling on through.
“Zika shows that we could never let our guard down where infectious diseases are concerned, particularly as we are a very tourism-oriented part of the world,” Hospedales said.
He said throughout the Caribbean this week various governments would be stepping up their eradication campaigns with a particular emphasis on protecting pregnant women.
Chief Medical Officer at the Health Ministry, Dr Clive Tilluckdharry, who also spoke, said this country has been battling mosquito-borne diseases for many years including dengue which has remained endemic.
He warned that chemical spraying must be limited as careless and ad hoc use could have disastrous consequences.
Dr Douglas Slater, assistant secretary general of Caricom who welcomed the initiative, said Caricom was, however, concerned about the cost associated with such diseases including the risk associated with long-term costs like that of microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with unusually small heads.
He said a recent proposal was made to have taxes suspended from equipment to combat such diseases including mosquito nets.
This proposal, Slater added, was submitted to individual member states for consideration and approval.