Although the Ministry of Public Health is not opposed to persons opting to control mosquito vectors in theirChief Vector Control Officer, Mr. David Williamsown environment by keeping it free of breeding sites, it is however cautioning that persons seek advice before engaging in the reckless spraying of chemicals as a control mechanism.This is according to Chief Vector Control Officer attached to the Ministry’s Vector Control Services Unit, Mr. David Williams.Williams disclosed that ideally the Ministry or other authorised agencies should undertake all vector control fogging and spraying tasks. However, he noted,Cheap Jerseys From China, the Ministry has decided to compromise, to some extent, since there have been reports of persons indulging in the spraying of chemicals to control mosquitoes.The challenge linked to this development, Williams noted, is that if persons are not au fait with the chemical and the measurement used for the control of the mosquito vectors it could in fact cause more harm than good to both people and the environment.“People can simply call us and ask for advice; ask what is recommended and how to go about doing this spraying…They can even ask us to come and help out. What people need to understand is that spraying is not an everyday thing…If you spray today it is not required until another three months, once you do it right,Wholesale NFL Jerseys,” asserted Williams.There have been reports in the past that persons were engaging in spraying their yards and affecting their neighbours. And according to Williams the Unit will have to conduct some investigation to determine whether this state of affairs has again surfaced.This is in light of the fact that there have been reports from a number of residents in sections of the country, including Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara,Wholesale Jerseys, that they have lost pets due to poisoning.Based on the assessment of a particular privately-operated veterinary service,China Jerseys Wholesale, the deaths of the animals including parrots, rabbits and hamsters, might have resulted from their exposure to chemicals. All of the pet owners claimed to have had fogging done in their areas during the days leading up to their pets’ deaths.Williams has however insisted that the chemical used for routine fogging activities is not harmful to human or animals. This is in spite of the fact that persons are asked to keep their drinking water and food well covered when fogging is in progress.The Ministry currently uses malathion (insecticide) to fog and the measurement, according to Williams, is very specific and in conformity to international standards.The World Health Organisation-approved chemical, he disclosed, is released as a mist into the environment, but is enough to kill the adult mosquitoes with which it comes into contact. Williams explained that since the chemical is dispersed as a mist and not as droplets it greatly reduces its harm to animal and people.“We have been doing fogging since the 70s with malathion and we have never got any reports of animals dying…Even now we have not got any reports of animals dying,” said Williams. “People need to tell us so that we can investigate.”A number of scientific studies have been conducted on the effects of malathion on rats. These concluded that its use is not harmful, at least, when used according to specifications. “Every time we do spraying we inform the public through advisories on the radio and in the newspapers. We have to let people know.“So if people want to engage in this activity and they get our okay they too have to let their neighbours know…”The health sector, according to Williams, has over the years embraced measures that are safe to people and the environment. He qualified this disclosure by pointing out that although DDT (insecticide) was found to be effective against malaria, and is credited with eradicating it from the Coast; its harmful effects saw its use being discontinued.Scientific studies had found that DDT can cause a variety of human health effects including reduced fertility, genital birth defects, breast cancer,China Soccer Jerseys, diabetes and damage to developing brains.But even with the use of malathion, safety precautions must be adhered to.? “Even when we do spraying ourselves the chemical can slightly burn you. That is why we wear protective gear and this is when it is measured correctly. So it is not just about going and buy the chemical and just going ahead and spray… we are asking people to do the right thing – talk to us first before spraying.”In order to reduce the mosquito population at the larvae stage abate (a larvicide) is used in the