The Ministry of Health and Wellness is now embarking on an accelerated mosquito fogging exercise given that Jamaica is gripped by an outbreak of dengue fever.

Fogging is one of the measures used to kill the mosquito population, which is hoped to greatly reduce the severity of a dengue outbreak. Portfolio minister Dr Christopher Tufton is urging Jamaican to welcome fog workers in their communities as they do their jobs.

Speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Tufton announced the ministry’s fogging schedule has been increased to seven days per week based on the parish assessment of communities that are high-risk.

Additionally, a daily fogging schedule by parish is circulated on the health ministry’s website.

Bad treatment of fog workers

Tufton noted that persons who think their community needs to be added to the schedule can call or send a note through the website. Regarding the treatment of fog workers, Minister Tufton pointed to instances in the past where these workers entering communities to undertake fogging activities, are stoned or verbally abused by residents, often due to fear.

“I want to take this opportunity to encourage the citizens of communities to welcome the workers. Don’t shun them or, worse, don’t be aggressive or violent towards them,” he told journalists in attendance.

The health minister is advising the general public that the abuse of fog workers is illegal and prosecutable.

Protecting oneself during fogging activities

He advises that if persons have respiratory or other health challenges, they should resort to certain measures to protect themselves such as using a damp or wet cloth to cover the nose and mouth to avoid any adverse effects during the fogging exercise. This, is in addition to wearing a mask.

Jamaica declared an outbreak of dengue fever on September 23.

According to the latest figures from the Health Ministry, there are 1,117 presumed, suspected and confirmed cases.

The Jamaican Government, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has since allocated some $300 million towards dengue mitigation efforts.