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MRCU History

The Mosquito Research & Control Unit (MRCU) was established in 1965 when entomologist Marco Giglioli arrived from London with a mandate to "establish a laboratory and conduct research with a view to advising the Cayman Government on suitable methods of control." Since its inception, MRCU has worked tirelessly to mitigate mosquito nuisance and protect Cayman Islands residents from mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, which are prevalent in the region. Through ongoing research and the implementation of advanced control methods, MRCU remains dedicated to safeguarding public health and improving the quality of life for all who live in and visit the Cayman Islands.

Pre-1900s - First Record

1834

1834 to be exact was the first record of a mosquito problem on Grand Cayman by the Governor of Jamaica who when visiting noted ‘The mosquitoes there amount to quite a national misfortune'.

First Known Survey

7 April 1938

The first known survey of species was carried out by a visiting sanitary inspector followed the same year by a team from Oxford University.

Further Surveys

9 April 1948

Further surveys carried out by a visiting malariologist (Dr. G Giglioli)

MRCU Established

10 April 1965

The Mosquito Research & Control Unit was established under the control of Dr Marco Giglioli to prevent vector borne disease and to reduce nuisance biting. A laboratory was set up on the current site of George Town hospital A&E.

Control Law

11 April 1966

The Mosquito (Research &) Control Law was first passed.

First Vehicle Mounted

11 April 1966

The first vehicle mounted fogging unit (a Tifa Todd machine) hit the streets of George Town by 1969 there were 9 fogging units mostly mounted on Mini Mokes, staffed largely by volunteers.

The Dyke Building

12 April 1967

Dyke building began in the swamps of Grand Cayman and the network of dykes and canals grew until 1983. This allowed for the swamp levels to be manipulated to interrupt the breeding cycles of the swamp mosquito.

Port Disinsection

13 April 1968

Port disinsection began; arrangements were made for the spraying of any ship or aircraft arriving in Grand Cayman.

Operations Began

14 April 1970

Operations began in the Sister Islands.

First Aerial Insecticide

15 April 1971

The first aerial insecticide campaign took place using malathion from a Cessna Ag-Wagon aircraft.

Awards

15 April 1971

Dr. Giglioli the Director of MRCU was awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) medal for his work in mosquito control.

Aerial Applications

16 April 1972

Aerial applications began on a large scale.

Records Achieved

16 April 1974

Records were broken when 793,103 mosquitoes were caught in a trap in Bodden Town in a single night.

New Conventions Introduced

18 April 1987

Due to the appearance of insecticide resistance to conventional insecticides, hormonal and bacterial insecticides are introduced.

Moved Buildings

19 April 1996

Moved to the Giglioli Building on North Sound Road.

Excavation Swamps

19 April 1996

Further excavation of the swamps (the creation of ‘canalitos’) increasing the flow of water in and out of the swamp with tide and rainfall.

Large Scale Larviciding

20 April 2003

Large scale larviciding operations (using temephos) were first carried out and larvicing remains the mainstay for control of the swamp mosquitoes.

MRCU Moves Buildings

21 April 2006

The MRCU moves to it’s current custom built building on Red Gate Road.

Our History - Mosquito Research Control Unit