The government’s vector control and dengue outbreak control and prevention programme has received a boost with the handing over of US$40,000 by  the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The money will be used to purchase 18 fogging machines and a drum of Malathion, which is one of the chemicals used in the fogging process to eliminate adult mosquitoes.

The allocation of funds will now ensure the health ministry moves closer to the 48 machines needed to significantly improve its response under the vector control programme.

So far, a total of 28 fogging machines at a cost of $5.2 million have been purchased by the health ministry.

Meanwhile, health minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has expressed appreciation to the UNDP for the urgency with which the agency moved to assist with the dengue prevention and control programme after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

Dr Feguson says the partnership has enabled the government to better provide well needed services to the people of Jamaica.

Last year, the Ministry of Health recorded more than 5,000 clinically suspected cases of dengue fever with 11 confirmed deaths.

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

radio@gleanerjm.com