I am extremely saddened to learn of the death of two young boys,one aged 5 from Santa Cruz and the other aged 11 from Munro College,Malvern.My heartfelt prayers go out to their family and school friends.
This was reported in The Jamaica Observer today.
There have been 300 reported cases since the outbreak first came to light early last month.
May God surround the families of these boys with His love and grace.
Leonora.

Here's the article Leonora mentioned above
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20071101T000000-0500_128911_OBS_DENGUE_ SUSPECTED_CAUSE_OF_TWO_DEATHS_IN_ST_ELIZABETH.asp

One item to point out: "We suspect dengue, but of course we have to await postmortem results," St Elizabeth's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr Derrick Ledford.

-TBNet

I will say the Ministry of Health is continuing their diligent work on spraying the area for mosquitoes. They were in the area up to last Thursday.

Can someone explain to me how does Jamaica's spraying work. What is the public health policy with regards to mosquito control. I don't understand the approach: Neglect non-tourist areas of the island(South Coast and others)until you have outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever or some other public health crisis, then spray the neglected areas in hopes of addressing an epidemic. I can't believe this approach, it couldn't possibly be a lack of funds, because $290million can be spent on light bulbs. Again, there is another example of poor governmental administration and public health policy. I hope that the new administration will address this obvious problem. "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". I implore the government to adopt a preventative proactive model of public health policy.

My experience is that they have always sprayed the island for mosquitos... Having lived in T.B. on and off for years before moving back to Canada when my daughter was 6 months old, I can say I spent many a night on the verandah in rainy seasons smacking mosquitos! The areas would be sprayed, and although I am not so sure how good it is for one's lungs, it would help the mosquito population be wiped out for a period of time anyway.

Taking my daughter (now 7) back for visits over the years since, is a double edged sword for me. She has asthma, and the spray is not good for her lungs, but she also has an allergy to mosquito bites which involves her needing medication when biten, so I would prefer to know that they spray, and administer her puffers when needed. The other plus is that it will hopefully keep the mosquito population down in times of heavy rainfall.

I guess what I am saying, is that they have always sprayed all the Bays in Treasure Beach - this is not a "new" thing in light of the possible Dengue and Malaria possibilities.

I lived up in the hills of Trelawny on the North Coast on and off for two years before I ever made it to Treasure Beach as well, and in times of heavy rain we used to see the planes spraying up in the hills as well.

I left Jamaica a long time ago but I can recall public health coming around and spraying large areas of the countryside when I was a child back in the 60's.I've seen them doing the same on many return visits so obviously this practice has not changed.

Please just pray the truth is told. I have been in TB for the "spray". My family was swimming and an "alien" ...suddenly without warning showed up in a space suit and was spraying (I don't know what). I asked him to please leave and give us a chance to be safe. He ignored me and sprayed straight at me. It smelled like petro oil. Privacy??? forget it. Cancer...respiratory illness...asthma...skin rash...etc.. (My son and husband) as well and most important many citizens of TB suffer from asthma. At the very least, not that it would help (except for anxiety) we should be notified. It was one of the most frighting experiences ever. I closed windows, took food off the grill to avoid contamination ( and refused to eat it anyway) and freaked out. I did not know if we should all go underwater or breathe in whatever was being sprayed. I am more concerned for the citizens of TB who reacted as if this was okay...They did their best to allay my fears but there was no way I would accept this. How often does this alien spray? Why can't we know when it will happen? Why can't we ask the alien to come back at a different time? I guess I know all the answers, but these are questions that need to be asked by the citizens of TB. It is not healthy to inhale whatever it was. It stunk, was sticky and the alien was rude. Notice, knowledge and answers are needed. Please respond...anyone. This happened last year and I am concerned about this year especially because of the new mosquito borne illness. Last year I think they were concerned with malaria...Speak the truth and speak it clear and never let a lie be near. Only then will we know what is going on. Thank you so much. Christine Kaitz

From 1987 to present, I have returned to Jamaica quite often. I have visited Ochie, Oracabessa, Kingston, Negril, Mobay and TB. It is only on the South Coast that I have experienced such an overwhelming mosquito problem which leaves me to think that the mosquito control policy is not as vigorous for the South Coast as it is for of the aforementioned areas which are viewd by some as high revenue tourist areas. I love TB and will continue to visit but am hoping that the government will do better. Being reactive is bad public health policy, it must be proactive thereby eliminating outbreaks...Just my observation for what it's worth.

I don't in any year in any area of Jamaica ever recall seeing an "alien"... only planes which release a "fog" or "spray" on the areas affected with a mosquito problem... no alien ever sprayed at me or on my things.

Obviously in the interest of safety, people usually go inside and close windows and such when they see or hear the planes coming overhead.

And by no means is this spray or fog meant for human ingestion, and it likely is bad for people with respitatory ailments (which is why I have been proactive with my daughter and her asthma), but the alternative (death by Dengue or Malaria or Leishman's, etc.) would obviously be worse for me than just treating my daughter's asthma.

In Morocco on the coast in Casablanca this time last year I had to protect my daughter in the same way as they were spraying what seemed to be the same type of sprays on the beach areas but for the treatment of sandflies carrying the bacteria that was infecting and killing people (some tourists) with Leishman's disease.

I think the world over - especially the Caribbean, and certain parts of Africa and Asia, there are problems becoming prevelent with mosquitos and ticks and (sand)fleas carrying possibly fatal diseases. The governments are trying to prevent death by way of these sprays. It is much like my neighbour here in Canada... I don't like that he has his lawn sprayed with pesticides a couple of times per year to kill weeds, and keep pests from his lovely green grass... it is not good for my daughter's lungs, but I can't control his actions, I can only prevent further illness to my daughter by keeping her directly away from his spray, and treat her asthma accordingly.

I don't think aliens are intentionally going around Jamaica intending to harm people on vacation or people who live there... they are trying to find a way to offer the residents some relief in the heavy rainy season that breeds tons of mosquitos.

Spraying(implied insecticides) is not the only means of mosquito control. Pyrethrins-derived from the chrysantheum plant/pyrethroids-synthetic analogues(rapidly metabolized out by humans & mammals), insect and bug introduction(e.g. praying mantis, ladybug, green lace, etc ) as well as other organic items may be used in terms of long-term proactive measures. Media public health announcements(requesting Jamaicans to eliminate items holding stagnant water which is a breeding ground for mosquito larvae) surveying and addressing areas that have stagnant water collection). Proper control of the mosquito population can not be maintain with insecticide spraying occassionally. The government must adopt an island-wide multidimensional approach to successfully control the mosquito population and therefore public health crisis. Coralie, you're correct- usually small aircrafts administer spray. I have experienced spraying which was used by NYC's government in the late 1990's to address the deer tick which carries west nile virus. With regards to those with respiratory illness you should stay indoors with closed windows and doors during the time of spraying to minimize your contact. The mosquito situation on the South Coast is a serious health problem and the government has to do better!

Coralie, I think that was a Duppy. Probably was killed by the spray and came back to exact some revenge. It was rude to you because you were suspicious of its identity. Aliens aren't interested in TB; they're not the beach-going type.

Dear Coralie,
It was not a plane. It was a human spraying something. I am not crazy and will not have you disregard a real experience. As a matter of fact, I wanted to close the windows, but was advised correctly that we should keep the air flowing and if anyone had known this "alien" as I will continue to call him was coming, the safest place to be is the sea...hence notification is essential. Enough of ignoring the trespassing on private property and the lack of notification for public health reasons. I would still like to know what the "alien" sprayed. And with all due respect, you too should have respect for not just tourist but the special people who live there. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER seen an airplane fly over spraying. This was the first experience for my family and hopefully the last. I am now concerned about your comment of airplanes spraying pesticide. If they are let me know and more important let the Jamaicans know what they are spraying. I do NOT take this lightly and do not rationalize the reason, expecially when the "governments are trying to prevent death by ways of these sprays". Please respond. This is a very serious issue regarding life and death.

I know this is an important subject and raises great passions, however, let us please keep our cool and debate this issue with respect to all.

As a resident of TB, I don't love it when the persons come around spraying, but I would rather that than the mosquitoes and the dangers they bring. I would feel safe in assuming if TB residents were polled, most would say the same.

When I hear the sprayers coming, I close up my windows and doors and wait about a half hour to open up again. However, I have often been driving down the road and see persons at a bar or hanging around outside who don't bother to move when the sprayers come by. I will also say, most of the time the sprayers themselves aren't even wearing so much as a mask.

I wonder if someone contacts the Ministry of Health they couldn't find out exactly what is in the spray used. I would assume we can better debate this topic if we know what we are debating versus assuming all sorts of horrible ingredients.

There are a number of means available to control the mosquito population island-wide. It is not solely dependent on insecticide spraying. I discussed some of these in a post which the moderators of this site have chosen not to post.
To the adminstrators of this site, I think that when you choose not to post an entry you should notify the sender of such with the reason the post has been rejected.

Patience, Alice, patience.

Leonora, not to take away from the importance of the issue you have raised, but I just want to point out that Munro College is situated in Potsdam, not Malvern.
Hampton High and Bethlehem College are in Malvern.
The people of Potsdam are very annoyed when the rest of Jamaica gets it wrong.
I share your deep regrets at these deaths, of course.

Please do not tell me countrygirl.Tell the newspaper that I quoted from.Refer above to TBNet
Nov 1,but thank you for your lesson in Jamaican geographical correctness.

You are welcome, Leonora. The newspapers and the media in general do get it wrong sometimes, and this is a case in point.

Christine K, I am not disregarding your claims, I am merely responding with MY experiences of living in the area, and what I have seen and experienced first hand. I have NOT had the experience of anyone coming near me spraying anything. I have only experienced and found ways to safely deal with the planes. I think Rebecca said the same thing as me... when you hear them coming, you close up your windows and stay inside for a while... that's what I have done too.

I don't know what compound they spray, I only know what to do to keep my daughter and myself safe when they do spray. And again, for me, because my daughter has a moderate allergy to mosquitoes and requires medical treatment, I have to be glad for less mosquitoes. For me, it is much easier to treat her asthma than her mosquito allergy which landed her in hospital in Cuba two years ago. Needless to say I don't want her (or I) to contract malaria or Dengue Fever either.

I have noticed, increasingly,over the last few years. persons, in full body "space suits" on foot. spraying the area with hand held foggers. The clouds of thick smoke smell kind-of like diesel fuel.To my mortification, local children were running behind, laughing and yelling as they played in these "clouds!" When I spoke with them later, they scoffed at my concerns,stating that "If it was harmful they wouldn`t spray it!!" Perhaps the school would be good place to start. When I was in Barbados , about 10 years ago there was an outbreak of dengue. There was a MASSIVE public campaign about irradication. Like everything else. this begins at home. There were mosquito clean up days. when everyone would check their yard for ANY standing water,drain puddles and stagnant ditches,or, if not feasable, pour some fuel on the surface of the water, so the larvae die. Spraying only offers a very short term decrease in the mosquito population, as they reproduce quickly,in the standing water. Spraying also destroys many beneficial insects, like bees, that are needed for pollination. Maybe the community, or school. could have a Mosquito Clean up Day..