#mrcu

Complaints about MRCU boss under investigation

MRCU Director Dr Jim McNelly

(CNS): Complaints by staff of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit about the director, Dr Jim McNelly, are under investigation, Health Minister Dwayne Seymour and Acting Chief Officer Nelly Pouchie have confirmed. The complaints were set out in a letter to the ministry in July, signed by what is believed to be a significant number of the staff, and relate to…

MRCU uses mosquitoes to teach students maths

Cayman Prep students watched mosquitoes develop from eggs during special maths classes

(CNS Local Life): Two Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) staff recently taught 150 Cayman Prep primary students the relationship between maths and mosquitoes as well as how to prevent the disease-causing insects from breeding. After the five-day programme held last month, junior entomologist Whitney…

MRCU plans to expand GM mozzie project

(CNS): Following the near year-long trial in West Bay, where genetically modified mosquitoes were released to reduce the population of Aedes aegypti, the MRCU is planning to expand the programme. The project has proved controversial but interim results show a decline of 79% in the pest. Now the modified mosquitoes could be released across the whole of Grand Cayman over the next two years and,…

Cayman Islands MRCU aircraft

(CNS): Biting mosquitos are under coming under attack today as the Mosquito Research & Control Unit (MRCU) begins aerial operations over the swamp areas, where the pesky insects breed, on Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. Some 12,000 acres of swamp are targeted in this operation in Grand Cayman, 320 acres in Cayman Brac and 475 acres in Little Cayman. Officials…