Dengue alert! - Jamaica Energy Partners releases 1,800 tilapia fish in gullies

Due to the recent outbreak of ­dengue-related illnesses and deaths in Jamaica, the Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) has taken the initiative to play its part in a mosquito eradication ­programme for the community of Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine.

The energy company engaged the Public Health Department and the Aquaculture Branch of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries to ­establish a partnership for this cause.

JEP’s community representatives hosted a sensitisation meeting at the Old Harbour Bay Community Centre to raise awareness on the disease, as well as how to prevent and contain its spread.

The company also engaged AG CHEM Company Limited that donated 24 bottles of mosquito repellent, which were distributed. Community representative, and company contractor Lanswell McLeod, supervised the JEP-­sponsored clearing of the gullies.

Continuing with their efforts, the company, partnering with the Aquaculture Branch, also ­deposited close to 2,000 tilapia fish into the cleared gullies within the community. This will significantly reduce the number of larvae that exist in these waters.

A larvae count will be conducted in the upcoming weeks to assess the effectiveness of this ­environmentally friendly approach of reducing the reproduction of these vectors.