CARPHA is calling for regional action to deal with mosquito-borne diseases.

It comes at the start of Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week, to be observed from May 12th to 16th under the theme “Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction.”

CARPHA says in the past year alone, 13 member states reported over 2,569 suspected and 1,295 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases – a 16% increase over the previous year.

The first quarter of 2025 has also already seen new cases of both dengue and malaria.

CARPHA’s Exercutive Director Dr Lisa Indar says the region cannot address this threat in isolation, and called for the collective effort of ministries, schools, churches, tourism stakeholders, NGOs, the media and the public.

CARPHA adds that it will continue to support member states with training, communication tools, and technical guidance as part of a broader vector control strategy under the European Union-funded Zika Project.

This year, a comprehensive toolkit was developed to assist Member States in their national public education efforts around Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week commemoration.

The CMAW toolkit is housed on CARPHA’s website and features a wide range of digital assets available in English, French, and Haitian Creole.

Materials include public education resources such as posters, bookmarks, a campaign jingle, as well as youth-focused items like rulers and social media reels.