The State of Hawai’i’s fight against mosquito-borne dengue fever ratchets up next week when black jars filled with water and egg collection sticks will be placed in Kaua’i neighborhoods. The collecting is part of a statewide survey of mosquito populations.
The State of Hawai’i’s fight against mosquito-borne dengue fever ratchets up next week when black jars filled with water and egg collection sticks will be placed in Kaua’i neighborhoods.
The collecting is part of a statewide survey of mosquito populations.
Dengue fever, an ailment usually found in tropical areas of the South Pacific and third world countries, has struck residents of Kaua’i and other Hawaiian Islands over the past months.
The jars will contain no chemicals or pesticides and are not harmful to people or pets, according to state health officials.
The survey is intended to help the health department set up long-term dengue management practices.
What the jars yield will help identify the various species of mosquitoes in Hawai’i and identify problem area, Anderson said.
Gary Gill, deputy director of the Environmental Health division of the DOH, said the help of residents is needed for project’s success.
Health department officials said dengue prevention teams are continuing to go door-to-door in windward O’ahu.
A similar project is under way on Maui and has included the distribution of educational materials and mosquito repellent to visitors in isolated Hana on the island’s southeast coast.
