Health

Minister says small MRCU team doing ‘massive job’
(CNS): As the new health minister, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, continues scoping out all her areas of responsibility, a morning spent in the field with the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) appears to have been an eye-opener. After witnessing the detailed scientific work the team does in hazardous conditions to tackle Cayman’s most persistent pest, she […]

Latest rain spawns ‘aggressive’ mosquito
(CNS): As the Mosquito Research and Control Unit continues to respond to the surge in mosquito numbers, it is warning residents that the species emerging in the greatest numbers at the moment is the Aedes taeniorhynchus (the black saltmarsh mosquito). This pest is known for its aggressive biting, especially just before sunrise and just after […]

Dump is ‘urgent priority’ but no policy outlined
(CNS): Following a visit to the George Town landfill, the new minister responsible for Cayman’s ever-growing rubbish pile has said the issue is an “urgent national priority”, but so far, there are no indications on how she plans to address it. Last year, in her capacity as sustainability minister, Kathy Ebanks-Wilks withdrew from the talks […]

Time to tackle health insurance problems, say MPs
(CNS): The unsustainable cost of the Cayman Islands Government’s growing healthcare bills must be tackled, MPs argued during a Finance Committee meeting on Friday. It remains to be seen how it will get to grips with the under- and uninsured, the pressure on the hospital from a growing population, the soaring costs of medication and […]

MRCU expecting another surge of mosquitos
(CNS): The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has stepped up operations as another surge in the mosquito population is expected as a result of the recent rain and high tides. The MRCU is warning residents, especially those in West Bay and George Town, to expect an increase in numbers in the coming days due to […]

Minister commits to dump solution, mum on plastic ban
(CNS): In an address to mark World Environment Day, which this year was focused on beating plastic pollution, Environment Minister Kathy Ebanks-Wilks accepted that this is a growing problem here in the Cayman Islands. But even as she committed to addressing the wider waste-management problem and the George Town dump, the minister made no mention […]

Latest COVID strain not a danger to public health
(CNS): The new COVID variant, NB.1.8.1, does not pose any serious threat to public health, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Gent. Nevertheless, local health officials are monitoring the new strain, which has been in the news around the world since 23 May, when the World Health Organization designated it a “variant under monitoring”.

MRCU urges residents to remove standing water
(CNS): With the rise in mosquito-transmitted diseases in our region, the Mosquito Research and Control Unit is urging residents to clear standing water from their yards to help reduce the current high number of mosquitoes. The MRCU has joined forces with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and regional partners to mark Caribbean Mosquito Awareness […]

Aerial larviciding operations begin across Cayman
(CNS): The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has begun daytime aerial larviciding operations across Grand Cayman, which will continue over the next two weeks, weather permitting, the MRCU said in a release. The MRCU aircraft will be flying at low altitude, making multiple passes over target areas to ensure full coverage and that no mosquito […]