An MP last night confirmed residents’ fears that no fogging had taken place in malaria-stricken Exuma to control the spread of mosquitoes.
This was in direct contradiction of government claims that pest control measures were being taken in the early mornings and late evenings.
Exuma MP Anthony Moss, who is deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, stated unequivocally that no fogging had taken place in Exuma since the beginning of the month.
Late Tuesday evening Ministry of Health officials informed ZNS that they were fogging and treating open water areas in Exuma.
Minister of Health Dr BJ Nottage said his ministry was carrying out chemical larvaciding, adulticiding, and fogging to eliminate or reduce the mosquito count.
However, several Exuma residents phoned The Tribune questioning the accuracy of the ministry’s information, stating that they had not seen any fogging anywhere on the island – especially since the malaria outbreaks had caused widespread concern.
“I can tell you today, right now, that I am sure that no fogging has taken place over the last week,” Mr Moss said.
“As far as treating the lakes – yes. That is an ongoing thing which has been happening over the last two weeks. It was happening up until I left Exuma on Tuesday.
“But as far as the fogging goes, that is something that we would do annually around the summer time when the mosquitoes are there. But since the beginning of this month, I cannot stand here, and tell you that fogging has taken place in Exuma,” Mr Moss said.
The ministry’s attempts at larvaciding ponds and fogging communities are the only ways to combat the Anopheles mosquito which carries malaria. To date, at least 16 people on the island have been affected.
Dr Nottage confirmed on Tuesday that they were effectively treating the affected persons and predicted that six of them would be released from Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) as early as yesterday.
However, calls to Dr Nottage, Dr Baldwin Carey, Director of Public Health, and Director of Environment Melanie McKenzie for an update to Tuesday’s news release were unsuccessful: According to their secretaries, they were all in meetings.
Elma Garraway, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, did return a call and said she would check if an update was to be released today.
Malaria is primarily transmitted by female mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus, which usually feed at night. Pregnant women are especially attractive to these mosquitoes and malaria in pregnant women has been cited as an important cause of still births, infant mortality and low birth weight.
Characteristics of the infection include extreme exhaustion, high fever, sweating, shaking chills, and anemia. More than one million people die from the disease annually.
Mr Moss said the ministry was probably slow in fogging communities because there are not many mosquitoes in Exuma to date.
“I must say that during the Labour Day and Whit Monday holidays – yes, there was rain, but I was not bitten by any mosquitoes. Now maybe I was not there at the right time, but I can tell you I was not there during the night activity. But during the course of the day I was in Barratarre.
“There was also a homecoming at Ramsey, and I can tell you there were mosquitoes there on Thursday night. But when I went to Barratarre I did not experience any mosquitoes on Thursday or Friday,” he said.
Asked if he were concerned about contracting the disease himself, Mr Moss said: “Oh yes, I am very concerned. I am not only concerned about myself. I represent the people of Exuma so my concern is for the entire Exumas,” he said.
Mr Moss said that health experts had been dispatched to Exuma to treat the ponds, and that although fogging had not taken place, he is hopeful that it will begin.
“I believe that we are dealing with it in a very professional way. The fogging, I believe, will come. I believe that at this time it is safe enough to say that although it was not done earlier it will happen. But I believe that we have dealt with it in a very timely fashion.”
Earlier in the week, environment officials said fogging could have taken place without residents being aware of it.
However, one woman seemed insulted by the suggestion that they could have “missed” the trucks.
“Sir, they are not spraying! Not at all. We don’t know what the minister is talking about but there is no spraying happening down here. Ain’t nobody missing them.”
By PAUL G TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter
