Aedes Aegypti Mosquito ““ Dengue Carrier
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 25, 2012 (SKNIS)
An “Educational Risk Reduction for Dengue” inspired a collaborative effort between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the local Red Cross Society.
The most recent, in a long history of cooperation between the Federal leadership and the humanitarian organization, the first phase of dengue initiative involved Red Cross volunteers going house to house in the communities of Old Road, Dieppe Bay and several sections of Basseterre.
The present Red Cross Society Vice President for St. Kitts, who is also the Project Officer for the “Educational Risk Reduction for Dengue,” explained to the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service that leaflets were distributed containing information about the prevention, signs and symptoms as well as treatment of the medical condition. The opportunity was also taken to have one and one discussions with householders while providing verbal advice.
As part of the second phase of the project, the Red Cross Society purchased two drums of a chemical used for fogging. The Ministry of the Health is expected to fog several communities in the near future. This process involves a specialized vehicle driving slowly through villages dispensing a smoke-like vapour. Residents of these communities will be encouraged to open their windows in order for the fog to enter homes and kill mosquitoes.
Outgoing President Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin informed SKNIS that additional outreach activities of the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society included joining with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Christian Council and the Evangelical Association to donate EC$160,000 to Haiti following the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.
On the local level, humanitarian efforts also included assistance to the victims of fires and stormy weather as well as First Aid Services provided at public events such as Music Festival, football and cricket games as well as schools’ athletic meets.
Dr. O’Loughlin further noted that a new executive was elected at the Annual General Meeting of the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society, held February 19, 2012. Representatives on the body are: President Winston Tyrell, Vice President (St. Kitts) Natalie Fough, Vice President (Nevis) Clara Walters, Director General Spencer Hanley, Treasurer Antoinette Hodge, Disaster Coordinator Kerry Greene, Legal Advisor Sonya Penny, Director of Youth Agatha Caines, Recording Secretary Eulalie Harvey along with General Members Roxanne Brookes-Jeffers, Denis Springette, Jasmine Hanley and Trevor Seaton.