Penama Health officials distributing mosquito nets at Levetlis on East Pentecost. Photo: Supplied
The Penama Provincial Health in Vanautu has been deploying people on Pentecost to help locals combat the threat from mosquitoes.
A staffer of Lolowai Hospit, Sir Sumptoh, told the Daily Post that a team he is part of has been distributing mosquito nets to overcome what he calls a "mosquito invasion".
He said a ship dropped them off on the western side of Pentecost, with mosquito nets on their backs, and because of damage from Cyclone Lola, they had to trudge across fallen trees to reach the eastern side of the island.
"The connection between west and east of Pentecost is still difficult due to the fallen trees that were unrooted by the Tropical Cyclone Lola and we have put hours to clear our passage in order to reach the eastern part," Sumptoh said.
He said they have to hire people in the western part of Pentecost to carry 34 bags of mosquito nets for the people in the eastern end of the province, which tyook them a day.
Penama healthofficers arrived at Levetlis area on Wednesday to distribute the nets to the communities of Vanmwel, Lewawa, Lalda, Lebati and Lalbung, he said.
The president of a disaster committee for five communities Dominic Tabi thanked the government for the nets.
Tabi said there were so many mosquitoes residents have been burning fires day and night to discourage the insects.
"[The] eastern part of Pentecost is populated also by mosquitoes due to so many rivers and water sources but we never had mosquitoes like this time after TC Lola.
"During the day and night we have to burn fire in our homes to protect us and mainly the children from mosquitoes bite.
"We heard that there are also mosquitoes in other parts of the island like in the middle bush where there are usually no mosquitoes and flies there," Tabi said.
Nurse Lawrence Tabi at Ledungsivi Health center in central Pentecost has also confirmed mosquito issue.
"Ledungsivi Health Center is situated a beat in the middle of the island and I can tell you that there are mosquitoes [here] compared to before the passage of TC Lola," he said.
Nurse Tabi said currently they have not recorded any cases of Malaria.
A mother of Saavat village on East Pentecost, Eslyn Mabon said they found very hard to sleep at night due to the mosquitoes in their houses.
"We receive the nets on Wednesday and they advised us not use not to use them straight away," Mabon said.
"We did not follow the advise given to us by Penama Health. People at Saavat were fed up with mosquitoes and the smell of the smoke of the fire inside houses. We wake up next day and we can see dead mosquitoes on top of the nets," she added.