The Department of Health’s Environmental Health Section advises that if you have noticed increased rodent activity on your property, to please contact Vector Control for assistance at 278-5397. Vector Inspectors will conduct a property assessment, provide rodent-proofing advice, and recommend required bait boxes.

This month, the Department of Health participated in a kite-making competition as part of its team-building activities. The staff generated the idea as a way to embrace old fashioned Bermuda traditions and customs as well as give back to the community.

The kites were donated to families with young children to celebrate the Good Friday holiday. Several programmes participated, including Vector Control, Child Health, Lefroy House, Sexual & Reproductive Health, Oral Health, Childcare Regulations and Community Health.

The Ministry of Health has adopted the "This is Public Health Campaign" to highlight the work the Ministry does throughout Bermuda.

The "This is Public Health" Campaign was created by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) to brand public health and raise awareness of where public health is throughout communities.

If you have a problem with rodents, call Vector Control.

When you open a case with Vector Control:

The Vector Control team deals with rodent and mosquito infestations (only), as well as proactive surveillance of these pests in Bermuda.

The team does not address bee, ant or other pest problems, but can make referrals to private contractors who can assist.

If you, or a neighbour, identify a problem with mosquitoes or rodents, the Vector Control team will inspect your property, meet with you and develop a plan to get rid of the pests.

The Vector Control programme is focused on ensuring mosquitoes and rodents are controlled and vectors are not introduced to the island. Port health is focused on preventing the spread of communicable diseases by travellers and cargo.

To enforce these responsibilities, the programme is made-up of three sections:

The Department of Health confirms that a person who recently travelled to a Zika-affected country has been diagnosed with Zika. This represents the second confirmed imported (travel-related) case of Zika virus in Bermuda. 

Although widespread, ongoing local transmission remains unlikely, the public is asked to guard against mosquito bites and sexual transmission both away and at home in order to keep Bermuda’s risk as low as possible.