Topic: MRCU
New MRCU drones approved to fly
While the MRCU drones are equipped with cameras, they said these are used strictly for operational purposes; they are not used for surveillance of individuals, private property or personal activities.
Government budgets for new mosquito plane
Government has earmarked $1.8 million for a new aircraft for the Mosquito Research and Control Unit which monitors and controls the mosquito population in the Cayman Islands.
Cayman records first imported case of Oropouche virus
Local health and mosquito-control officials confirmed detection of the first imported case of Oropouche virus disease in the Cayman Islands.
Residents report ill effects of guava-scented mosquito spray
A fruity scent that has recently emerged in neighbourhoods around Cayman is from the Mosquito Control and Research Unit’s fogging machines as they respond to reports of dengue.
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.
MRCU launches mosquito pre-hatch treatment ahead of rains
With the start of the hurricane season days away and Cayman's first major rainfall on the horizon the Mosquito Research and Control Unit has kicked off its Pre-Hatch Treatment, the annual larvicide application.
MRCU director: Brace for more mosquito surges
Mosquito Research and Control Unit director Dr. Alan Wheeler says Cayman's mosquito problem is likely to continue if a second pilot is not found soon to help man the island's first line of defense against the surging insects.
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.
Aerial spraying expected to resume this week
The Health Ministry says it expects the Mosquito Research and Control Unit to resume aerial spraying this week as the local mosquito population increases.
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.
Public Health: No cause for concern over Brac dengue case
Public Health has confirmed one case of Dengue on Cayman Brac, but says there is no outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness on any of the three islands.
Cayman duo makes emergency landing in US peanut field
Two Cayman men escaped unscathed last week after a fuel leak left them without engine power mid-flight and forced them to make an emergency landing in their two-seater plane in a peanut field in Florida.
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.
High tides leading to more mosquitoes
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is warning the public to expect an increase in mosquito activity following recent high tides that caused flooding in the mangrove breeding areas of the black salt marsh mosquito.
MRCU drops aerial spraying for this weekend
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit defogging operations are expected to resume Friday evening in George Town and East End. However, aerial spraying will not be carried out over the weekend.
MRCU director: I will not resign
Mosquito Research and Control Unit director James McNelly said he has no intentions of resigning, this after an alleged letter of no confidence in his leadership was leaked.
Mosquito spraying under way
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit will be carrying out aerial and truck operations tonight (Monday, 3 Aug.).
Mosquito numbers rise with full moon
The Mosquito Research and Control unit has ramped up aerial spraying throughout parts of West Bay to tackle an increase of mosquito larvae numbers within the mangrove swamps.
Mosquito numbers expected to drop over Christmas
The Christmas season could bring with it fewer mosquitoes. Cayman’s rainy season, which coincides with the hurricane season, concludes at the end of November. Fewer showers coupled with cooler temperatures reduce mosquito breeding.
Efforts stay focussed on dengue control
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit continues to focus efforts on controlling the Aedes aegypti mosquito, even though no new confirmed cases of dengue have been reported in the past week.
MRCU fogs areas to combat dengue-carrying mosquitoes
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is visiting local neighbourhoods to carry out fogging and spraying to combat dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Public health meeting on dengue planned
A public health meeting on dengue fever has been planned for this Wednesday in East End.
Wet weather brings more mosquitoes
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit says it expects mosquito numbers to grow in the coming days.
Out of funds
Today's editorial cartoon.
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.
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."
EDITORIAL – The mysterious threat of Zika
The Public Health Department’s upcoming series on the Zika virus may be just what the doctor ordered.
Judge rejects GM mosquito review
A Grand Court judge on Monday refused an application for a judicial review that could have stopped the planned release of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay.
NEW: Judge denies request to halt GM mosquito release
A Grand Court judge Monday refused an application for a judicial review to stop the planned release of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay.
House-to-house survey begins on mosquito plan
Biotechnology company Oxitec, in collaboration with the Mosquito Research and Control Unit, is conducting an island-wide survey on the level of awareness about mosquito-borne diseases, including Zika, chikungunya and dengue.
Mosquito release halted by legal challenge
The planned release of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay, scheduled to begin Thursday morning, has been halted after a judge granted...
UPDATE – Legal action pauses GM mosquito release
Opponents of the planned release of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay are taking legal action in an effort to halt the operation, which is scheduled to begin Thursday.
Inside the mosquito ‘factory’
Ahead of the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in West Bay, scheduled to begin Thursday, the Mosquito Research and Control Unit and U.K. biotech firm Oxitec invited members of the media for an inside look of the new lab, where half a million male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are being bred.
Suspected Zika cases test negative
Test results for three out of four samples cases have come back negative from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez said in a press release Friday.
Mosquito Unit ramps up as rainy season gets under way
With the start of the rainy season and the first possible case of Zika linked to Cayman, the Mosquito Research and Control Unit is ramping up its operations to combat nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Jamaica equipped to test for Zika
Jamaica’s National Virology Laboratory can now test for the Zika virus, becoming the second country in the Caribbean equipped to do so, according to the Jamaica Information Service.
Zika virus spreading through region
While no cases of the Zika virus have been reported in the Cayman Islands, the virus continues to spread across the Caribbean and the world.
