The Environmental Health Department in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations wishes to advise citizens, in light of the hurricane season, to take all necessary precaution to prevent the spread of dengue fever and other vector borne diseases.

Glenda Etienne-Cepal, Vector Control Program Manager, described several measures that can be taken to help halt the spread of disease.

"The public should ensure that all water receptacles are properly covered to prevent breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito that is known to be responsible for the spread of dengue and chikungunya," she said. "It is the public's responsibility to ensure that any container that could become a potential breeding ground is covered; and when disposing of  garbage, ensure that it is properly secured before disposal to prevent mosquitoes form laying their eggs."

In addition, drums and buckets should be properly covered, soil instead of water should be used in flower vases, and residents should check roof gutterings, drains and gutters to ensure easy flow.

"This is a cheaper and safer way [to prevent disease] instead of incurring the costs that come with treating the disease," Mrs. Cepal said.

Claudius Prospere, acting Chief Environmental Health Officer in the Department of Environmental Health said environmental sanitation is important.

"Mosquito populations thrive in the rainy season, so residents must ensure that they keep their surroundings clean and dispose of any containers, tires, and appliances that are likely to keep water," he said, adding that the trends for this year have been normal, so far.

"And we would like to keep it that way," he said.