Tag: Mosquito Research and Control Unit
Imported dengue case on Brac but no local spread
(CNS): The Public Health Department has confirmed one case of dengue fever on Cayman Brac in an individual who had travelled from a country where the virus is common but said there had been no local transmission of the mosquito-borne virus. Although there was one previous case in August, PHD said there had been no […]
Cayman sees first case of dengue in three years
(CNS): The Public Health Department has confirmed a case of dengue fever in the Cayman Islands this week, the first for three years. Officials have not said if the individual suffering from the mosquito-borne viral disease had a travel history to a place where it is prevalent but did confirm there had been no local […]
Mosquito trouble is the worst for decades
(CNS): Mosquito and Research Control Unit Director Dr Alan Wheeler has blamed the worst mosquito problems for two decades on a number of natural factors, such as COVID-19 and Tropical Storm Grace, but not the management issues that have surrounded the MRCU over the last two years. Wheeler, who was appointed as director in July […]
Surge of marsh mosquitoes expected
(CNS): The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) is warning residents to expect another surge of the native black salt marsh mosquito as a result of the high tides that began last month and have caused flooding in the mangrove breeding areas of the swamp. Eggs laid around the time of the 20 April high […]
MRCU leadership inquiry still unresolved
(CNS): Neither the minister responsible for mosquito control nor the deputy governor responsible for the civil service were prepared to offer an update into the current leadership inquiry at the Mosquito Research and Control Unit when they were asked on Wednesday. Answering an MLA’s question in the Legislative Assembly about the status of the director […]
MRCU methods revert but no news on inquiry
(CNS): Minister Dwayne Seymour has made no further comment about complaints made by staff at the Mosquito Research and Control Unit that the director was undermining the work of the critical department. But the minister responsible for the MRCU has revealed that efforts to combat the pest have reverted to tried and tested methods. Seymour […]
Complaints about MRCU boss under investigation
(CNS): Complaints by staff of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit about the director, Dr Jim McNelly, are under investigation, Health Minister Dwayne Seymour and Acting Chief Officer Nellie Pouchie have confirmed. The complaints were set out in a letter to the ministry in July, signed by what is believed to be a significant number […]
Sahara dust and mozzie surge add to 2020 trouble
(CNS): Earthquakes, dump fires, a pandemic, and now a dust cloud from the Sahara Desert and a surge in mosquitoes are combining to make 2020 a pretty miserable year. While the dust plume stretching across the Caribbean will produce some pretty sunsets, it will also make life uncomfortable for those with respiratory problems. Meanwhile, a […]
MRCU boss denies dead bees linked to spraying
(CNS): Mosquito Research and Control Unit Director Dr Jim McNelly told Finance Committee on Tuesday that the MRCU has no evidence to link its work with anecdotal claims of dead bees. McNelly has not yet responded to enquiries by CNS, following reports by concerned readers last week that several people saw a significant number of […]
MRCU main suspect in mass bee deaths
(CNS): Hundreds of dead and dying bees along Seven Mile Beach caused significant public concern yesterday, and the cause may be the Mosquito Research and Control Unit’s aerial spraying. In response to CNS inquiries, the Department of Environment said the situation was serious and that they had raised their concerns about the deaths, and while […]
MRCU steps up efforts to combat mosquitoes
(CNS): The Public Health Department and the Mosquito Research and Control Unit are working on mitigating the health impact of the current dengue outbreak, officials said in a press release following the confirmation that six people in Cayman have contracted the disease. With three of those infected having no travel history, the authorities are undertaking […]
