KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Health Ministry expects an increase in the mosquito population due to the rainfall currently being experienced but says fogging has been halted until the inclement weather stops.

The ministry explained in a release late yesterday that while it continues to routinely fog selected areas to eliminate adult mosquitoes, fogging cannot be done during the rain.

Meanwhile, the ministry urged people to destroy mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from mosquito bites.

“The mosquito population is expected to increase in light of the present rainfall especially since we were experiencing a drought. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs during the dry season and these will hatch as soon as enough water is available. The rainfall has facilitated that environment,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse.

She noted that in light of this, it is important that we do not create the environment for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue and chikungunya, to breed and therefore need to keep our surroundings free of anything that can become mosquito breeding sites.

The ministry also encouraged people to contact the health department in their parish to report any area that they believe needs fogging.