More fogging machines secured for mosquito fight

The North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) has handed more than 12 new Swingfog fogging machines, valued approximately $5.6 million, to the St Ann, St Mary, and Portland health departments.

The equipment, which includes adapters and silencers, was officially presented during a recent handover ceremony at the Ocean Village Shopping Centre in Ocho Rios, St Ann. NERHA Regional Director, Fabia Lamm, explained that the handover was driven by the need to maintain pressure on mosquito populations across the region, where progress is being made in controlling the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting illnesses such as dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, malaria, and yellow fever. These diseases can have serious health consequences and, in some cases, leave lasting effects even after recovery. Lamm emphasised that fogging is one component of a broader strategy employed by health authorities to control mosquito populations.

"Our programmes include, for the most part, the 'search and destroy' approach, where the teams visit the homes, check for mosquito breeding, do whatever is necessary to minimise this and educate our citizens about controlling mosquitoes and the breeding of mosquitoes and then, as a secondary effort, we do fogging activities," she explained. She also stressed that the most effective approach begins with preventing mosquito breeding. Health teams continue to place strong emphasis on community education, working with residents to help them understand the vital role they play in reducing breeding sites.