Topic: Mosquito Research and Control Unit
Recent rainfall brings increased mosquito menace
There has been a surge in mosquito numbers across Grand Cayman and the Mosquito Research and Control Unit is increasing its response.
Recent rainfall causes surge in mosquitos
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is warning residents there has been a widespread emergence of the black salt marsh mosquito in Grand Cayman.
Easy tips to reduce mosquito numbers this rainy season
As Cayman enters the rainiest season of the year, mosquito control will become increasingly important to stamp out the public nuisance.
Increased mosquito activity expected for Easter weekend
Easter weekend may bring a greater quantity of mosquitoes across all three islands due to heavy rains earlier in the month.
Cayman prepares for potential flooding
With the threat of severe weather and potential tropical cyclone 9 on Monday, Cayman residents and government agencies kicked into preparation mode ahead of anticipated heavy rainfall.
MRCU warns of increased mosquito activity
After declaring a win over the mosquito population last month the Mosquito Research and Control Unit is now advising the public to prepare for a potential resurgence in mosquito activity by early October.
MRCU swats back at Cayman’s mosquitoes
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is claiming success over Cayman's mosquito population, saying insect numbers have been vastly reduced through its ongoing preventative methods.
From crabs to mosquitoes, hurricanes have a sting in the tail
With rainy season affecting Cayman for the coming months, a variety of critters in search of dry land may also emerge.
Nine local cases of dengue reported
Health officials have confirmed that nine people in Cayman have contracted dengue locally.
Cayman fights dengue threat with fire and flights
The smell of freshly burnt swamp grass being carried off by the evening breeze along Eastern Avenue is swiftly followed by the sight of a thin haze of grey smoke rising on the horizon – a backyard fire has been lit as residents try to chase away potent dengue infested mosquitos.
Local transmission of dengue reported
Health officials are alerting the public to at least one case of local person-to-person transmission of dengue in the Cayman Islands.
Rainfall brings new surge of mosquitoes
Recent downpours have led to a resurgence of mosquitoes, which is likely to worsen in the coming weeks, according to the Mosquito Research and Control Unit.
Surge in mosquitoes expected in coming days, MRCU warns
As inclement conditions are set to continue comes word from the Mosquito Research & Control Unit (MRCU) that it expects a significant increase in mosquito numbers by week's end.
Cayman on the run from swarming swamp mosquitoes
Hundreds of thousands of mosquito eggs that have lain dormant for years have hatched in recent weeks, causing a dramatic surge in the population of the biting insects.
MRCU planes down as mosquito population rises
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has confirmed that both of its aerial spraying planes are currently out of commission and that the surge of mosquitoes is expected to increase over the next few days.
Health ministry ordered to disclose data to unsuccessful MRCU jobseeker
Ombudsman Sharon Roulstone has ordered the Ministry of Health to release information to an applicant about why he was not chosen for a job in the Mosquito Research and Control Unit, almost two years after he first requested the data under a Freedom of Information request.
High number of mosquitos expected after unseasonal rainfall
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is warning residents to brace themselves for an increase in mosquitos from Sunday evening, 26 March.
Perfect storm for mosquito breeding after Ian’s passage
Mosquito Research and Control Unit staff are deploying extra preventative and suppressive techniques to try to thwart a potential increase in mosquitoes following the passage of Hurricane Ian.
Cayman confirms case of dengue
Public Health has confirmed Cayman has one case of dengue in the jurisdiction.
Mosquito Emergence Begins Due to Increased Rainfall
Residents and visitors of the Cayman Islands should expect significantly higher numbers of mosquitoes in the coming days due to increased rainfall over the past few weeks.
Ministry of Health mum on replacing MRCU director
The Ministry of Health is keeping quiet on the absence of Mosquito Research and Control Unit director Dr. James McNelly, amid rumours that his contract has not been renewed.
The battle against mosquitos: Breaking down the chemicals used by MRCU
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit uses a number of insecticides with chemicals known to be toxic to bees, aquatic life and, in some cases, humans.
Explainer: What’s up with the mosquitoes?
The current boom in blood-sucking bugs has resulted from a combination of factors, including tides and rainfall, reduced aerial spraying, and the species of mosquitoes overrunning the island, explains Dr. James McNelly, director of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit.
Health officials on high alert following dengue cases
Local health officials said they have heightened surveillance efforts in the wake of six confirmed cases of dengue fever in Grand Cayman. They are urging the public to take steps to eradicate any possible mosquito breeding places for the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito to help control the spread of the virus.
Wet weather brings more mosquitoes
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit says it expects mosquito numbers to grow in the coming days.
MRCU testing mosquitoes that target blue iguanas
A new study being conducted by the Mosquito Research and Control Unit is targeting mosquitoes that feed on blue iguanas. The research project, which began in April this year, is a joint effort between the MRCU and Mississippi State University.
New hires and promotions at Mosquito Research and Control Unit
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has recently welcomed three disease protection officers to its team.
Spray plane targets Sister Islands mosquitoes
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is stepping up efforts to combat mosquitos across Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Concerns rise over island-wide mosquito ‘infestation’
Mosquito Research and Control Unit director Jim McNelly acknowledged that the Cayman Islands was facing a “bad infestation” of swamp mosquitoes.
Backyard mosquito inspections under way
Inspectors from the Mosquito Research and Control Unit recently began residential inspections to help eliminate breeding opportunities for the disease carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Joint mosquito research project comes to a close
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has formally ended its joint collaboration with Oxitec on a 35-week program designed to pinpoint the best way to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Letter: Well-planned development is welcome in Barkers
Development of the area is not wrong if it is done properly. Where would Cayman be today without development?
Minister: No more funds for genetically modified mosquito program
Cayman’s genetically modified mosquito project has not worked as effectively as government hoped and will be abandoned, Health Minister Dwayne Seymour said Thursday.
Government working on mosquito eradication plan
The government’s new focus group for mosquito eradication will debate a variety of approaches, said Jim McNelly, the director of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit.
Release of genetically modified mosquitoes to resume this month
A $588,000 project to test the effectiveness of genetically modified mosquitoes in combination with traditional control methods will begin later this month.
EDITORIAL – GM mosquito response (cont’d)
Ms. Barnard also emphasized her track record of honesty and commitment to transparency, providing several examples of such conduct in her career in government and the nonprofit sector.
Letter: MRCU responds to GeneWatch FOI release
New MRCU Director Jim McNelly Ph.D. says his team and Oxitec are in agreement on how, where and when to proceed with the evaluation. It will also be up to MRCU to evaluate what success will look like.
Scientists cast doubt on GM mosquito impact
The depth of skepticism among scientists at the Mosquito Research and Control Unit about the success of genetically modified mosquitoes in Grand Cayman is revealed in a cache of internal emails released following an open records request.
Oxitec responds to report
MRCU has rightfully carried out their due diligence with regards to the Friendly Mosquitoes solution and has always been supportive of the technology.
Emails reveal GM mosquito program impact was overstated
A government report contained inaccurate information that overstated the genetically modified mosquito program’s success, according to recently released internal emails between government and MRCU officials.
No solution in sight for iguana control
It will take a dedicated commitment of money and resources to control or eradicate Cayman’s green iguana population, according to Department of Environment experts.
Mosquito Research and Control Unit appoints new director
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit announced on Tuesday that it has appointed James McNelly as its new director.
EDITORIAL – GM mosquitoes: What happened to the ‘Swat Team’?
In spring 2016, amid the maelstrom of fears over the Zika virus, the Cayman Islands government announced with considerable public fanfare that officials were partnering with a British firm to introduce a novel mosquito control method to the territory.
Government backs away from genetically modified mosquito rollout
A multimillion dollar plan for the islandwide rollout of Cayman’s genetically modified mosquito program has been significantly scaled back amid budget cuts and concerns that the technology has yet to fully prove itself.
Some progress on longstanding issues
I notice that speed limit signs are now being erected throughout the district of West Bay. However there is still a lot of speeding going on and I believe that it could be due to the lack of speed limit signs, as I mentioned in previous letters.
More mosquitoes likely to follow heavy rains
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit says it is expecting a “significant emergence” of mosquitoes over the coming days due to heavy rains recently.
Genetically modified mosquitoes in Cayman swat wild population
Genetically modified mosquitoes have made a significant impact in reducing wild populations of the disease-spreading insects in the West Bay release area.
Heavy rainfall brings more mosquitoes
A recent spike in activity is the result of heavy rains in late September and early October, pushing mosquito populations higher. Only halfway through the month, total figures for trapped mosquitoes are already 8 percent higher than last October.
50 years ago: Radio station considered; professor visits mosquito unit
In the Aug. 23, 1967 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the following article titled “Radio Station – Engineering Survey” appeared:
Watchdog group criticizes genetically modified mosquito project
While researchers hope to expand their genetically modified mosquito program to the entire island of Grand Cayman around February, a U.K.-based nonprofit organization has released a report questioning the efficacy of the initiative and criticizing the project’s public approval process.
Mosquito spraying planned for coming weeks
The Mosquito Control and Research Unit will conduct aerial spraying over mosquito breeding swamps in the coming weeks in Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands.
50 years ago: Mosquito control and dynamite
In the Aug. 23, 1967 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, an article titled “Assembly Shown M.R.C.U. Dyke Building Project” informed the community about important work being done in the community.
Islandwide GM mosquito release approved
The National Conservation Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the islandwide rollout of the genetically modified mosquito program without the need for a new independent risk assessment. Bill Petrie, head of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit, said a national program using the technique to fight the disease-spreading Aedes aegypti mosquito could begin in February next year.
Concern over national rollout of genetically modified mosquito project
Opponents of the use of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands say an application to use the technique island wide is “premature.”
Plan hatched to release GM mosquitoes across Cayman Islands
Plans to expand the release of genetically modified mosquitoes across Grand Cayman have been submitted to the National Conservation Council.
As Zika fears fade, new threats loom
As fears over the spread of the Zika virus fade, public health officials are warning of a likely outbreak of a new strain of dengue fever in the Caribbean. There have been no new cases of Zika in Cayman since December, but doctors and scientists at the MRCU warn of new threats on the horizon.
GM mosquitoes making an impact in West Bay
The release of some 8 million genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay has had a significant impact in reducing populations of the disease-spreading insects in the targeted area, researchers say. Preliminary data from the MRCU shows that the GM males are successfully mating with females in the wild.
Hundreds of students explore job fair
More than 500 students attended a career fair last month to learn about jobs ranging from handling drug-sniffing dogs to working in a medical lab and operating drones. The Careers Fair, hosted by Cayman Academy at the University College of the Cayman Islands, drew students from Cayman’s public and private schools.
Dry weather brings possible end to mosquito season
Dry weather over the past weeks may signal the end of mosquito season for the year, and with it a lower threat of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The number of suspected Zika cases has dropped significantly from a high of more than 20 per week at the end of the summer to one or two cases per week now.
Florida Keys voters reject, and approve, GM mosquitoes
In dueling votes over a proposed trial of Oxitec’s genetically modified mosquitoes, voters across one Florida county supported releasing the insects, while voters in the town earmarked for the project rejected holding the trial there. Key Haven voted overwhelmingly Tuesday against the proposal, but voters in Monroe County supported holding the trial.
UPDATED: Zika town hall meeting slated for North Side Civic Centre
The East End town hall meetings about the Zika virus will be taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the East End Civic Centre. The meetings have been scheduled by the Public Health Department to inform residents about Zika and to address concerns, especially for pregnant women.
50 years ago: Scope of mosquito issues highlighted
In the Oct. 19, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, news from George Town included: “Dr. M.E.C. Giglioli has informed the Caymanian that the Mosquito Research and Control Unit has recently been granted 41,329 pounds from Colonial Development and Welfare funds to cover capital equipment costs during its first two years of operation ending in April 1968."
Second pregnant woman contracts Zika in Cayman
A second pregnant woman has tested positive for the Zika virus, according to Cayman Islands public health officials. The second case was confirmed after a report was made by the Public Health Department on Wednesday, indicating that 17 locally contracted cases were confirmed along with 10 cases in people who had traveled overseas.
The strategy
Our editorial cartoon.
Town hall meetings on Zika rescheduled
Town hall meetings about the Zika virus have been rescheduled. The meetings have been scheduled by Public Health to inform residents about Zika and to address concerns, especially for pregnant women. Everyone is invited, particularly pregnant women.
UPDATED: Pregnant woman among Cayman’s new Zika cases
Cayman now has 17 confirmed locally transmitted cases of Zika, including one pregnant woman, according to public health officials. All of the confirmed local cases are in George Town. The total number of cases confirmed with laboratory results, including those suspected to have come from overseas travel, is now 26.
A guide to Cayman’s public enemy No. 1: mosquitoes
The disease, disruption and dismay they cause, however, is world-class, beyond all proportion to their size. This is what you need to know about the seven genuses of mosquito that call the Cayman Islands home.
EDITORIAL – The mysterious threat of Zika
The Public Health Department’s upcoming series on the Zika virus may be just what the doctor ordered.
Zika ‘town hall’ meetings start next week
Cayman Islands public health officials are hosting a series of meetings aimed at informing local residents, especially pregnant women, about risks associated with the Zika virus. The meetings are set to start on Tuesday.
Oxitec’s GM mosquitoes starting to show impact
Researchers studying the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay say they are starting to see the gene show up in mosquito larvae, meaning those mosquitoes likely will not survive to adulthood.
Mosquito Unit works overtime in Zika fight
The staff at Cayman’s Mosquito Research and Control Unit has been putting in long days as they fight to stop Zika transmission in Grand Cayman.
