The Tribune

AS reported cases of the Zika virus continue to increase in New Providence, the Bahamas Red Cross - under its mandate of alleviating human suffering wherever it may be found - has taken steps to provide the public with information about the transmission and prevention of the virus.

Prior to the first officially reported case of the virus in the Bahamas, the Bahamas Red Cross, through the Resilience in The Americas Project (RITA), conducted a series of mitigation workshops on water and sanitation.

The Bahamas Red Cross also partnered with IMPAC, a local waste disposal company, and held community clean ups in the areas of Bacardi and Carmichael Roads.

Park clean ups and beautification activities were undertaken in the Bain Town and Centreville areas, a press release from the Bahamas Red Cross said.

In the coming weeks, the organisation will continue revisiting these densely populated communities, including Pinewood Gardens, to reiterate proper sanitation practices with an emphasis on the importance of identifying, eliminating and/or reducing mosquito breeding grounds.

During the outreach, the Bahamas Red Cross will share information on how to prevent Zika infections, and will also conduct walkabouts to identify potential mosquito breeding sites in the mentioned communities. These walkabouts will be complimented with a creative and colourful teaching session.

Residents will use their artistic abilities to identify mosquito breeding sites, proper waste disposal techniques, learn of the transmission, recognise the symptoms and prevention of this virus.