BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE management of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) continues to make the institution’s presence felt in St. Kitts as the university, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, recently concluded a two-week mosquito survey on the island.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Jodi Peeler, Assistant Dean, External Relations and Communications at the university, said the research was done in two phases: “One week in March, during the dry season, and the other week in October, during the rainy season.”
She explained that the survey team comprised Dr. Hamish Mohammed, Professor of Epidemiology at the RUSVM; Alexander Riley, Deputy Chief of Environmental Health at the Ministry of Health; Joshua Smith, an Entomologist from the Fairfax County (Virginia, USA) Health department; and Floyd Revan, a Laboratory Technician at Ross University.
Peeler further explained that the goal of the collaboration between the two entities is to identify any new species of mosquito and to confirm species that were identified in previous surveys completed in the 1960s.
Dr. Mohammed told this media house that they are seeking to build in-country capacity to collect and identify mosquitoes, adding, “Species determination is important because some mosquitoes are simply pests and others can be important carriers of diseases to animals and/or humans.”
He declared that there are 11 known mosquito species in St. Kitts and Nine in Nevis.
Dr. Mohammed informed that initial results of the survey confirmed that the black salt marsh mosquito, scientifically known as Aedes taeniorhynchus, and the brown house mosquito, known as Culex quinquefasciatus, are the two most frequently found species in the twin-island Federation.
He explained that the black salt marsh mosquito is typically found in mangroves and could be seen flying at dusk and dawn. This mosquito, he added, is a potential vector of dog heartworm and Venezuelan Equine (horse) Encephalomyelitis. He noted that they are fierce biters, but not typically a disease risk to humans.
Dr. Mohammed said the brown house mosquito transmits heartworm in dogs and breeds in a very organic, stagnant water source, and is commonly found in urban areas.
Highlighting some of the group’s findings during the survey, Smith said, “In our survey, we noticed the black salt marsh species most frequently near the southern end of the island and on the peninsula. This may be the mosquito you would see swarming if you are in Conaree or on South Friars beach near dusk. The brown house mosquito was found in urban areas, such as Basseterre and Sandy Point, and one of the keys to controlling this and other mosquitoes is to reduce the amount of standing water around your home.”
The group explained that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the number one vector species of dengue, was also found throughout St. Kitts.
This mosquito, the group explained, typically bites during the day and is often found in and around the home. It is recognised by white markings on the legs, some liken to a zebra stripe, and lays its eggs inside artificial containers.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin had confirmed that there were eight cases of dengue in St. Kitts for this year and noted that they did not indicate an outbreak, as a few cases per year are typical. However, the group advises that the emptying of containers after it rains would help reduce the number of this type of mosquito around homes.
The St. Kitts Department of Environmental Health continually monitors both the air and seaports for individuals presenting with disease, and the vector control officers had received training from Smith regarding mosquito collection and identification during his visit to the Federation in March.
“Everyone has to take part in helping to control the mosquito population. Eliminate standing water on your property, make it a habit to check your yard and home after a rain for standing water and, when possible, use a mosquito repellent on yourself when in a heavily mosquito populated area, Dr. Mohammed added in his advice for the reduction of mosquitoes around households.”
