SCID

A rare Caribbean island where beaches aren't the draw A scarcity of cruise ships and beaches may explain why Saba isn't a Caribbean hot spot, but island hoppers who skip it are missing out on a off-the-radar retreat with a showstoppingly short airport runway.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48464510

GM fungus 'kills 99% of malaria mosquitoes' A fungus has been genetically modified with spider venom to kill the mosquitoes that spread malaria.

A small delegation from the Public Entity Saba attended the 39th annual Heineken Regatta in St. Maarten last week to promote Saba as a tourist destination.

Desiree Johnson of the Saba Tourism Bureau and policy advisor of the Public Entity Saba Nicole Johnson hosted a booth at the Heineken Regatta village at Port de Plaisance Resort. The booth was open from Thursday up until the end of the regatta on Sunday.

The Saba delegation was there to promote Saba, to build more awareness for the island, to share information on how to get to Saba, the attractions that the island offers and to inform interested persons about the various accommodations and restaurants.

As part of the promotion for Saba, a raffle was organized whereby people had the chance to win one of three trips to Saba, generously sponsored by Windward Islands Airways Winair, the Edge ferry (Aquamania Adventures), Dawn II (Saba C Transport), the Cottage Club, Juliana’s Hotel and Queen’s Gardens Resort. A total of 156 people signed up for the raffle. The winners of the raffle will be contacted via email.

Big news from the Dutch EPA: a comprehensive study of the potential release of GMO-mosquitoes has concluded there is negligible risk to humans and to the ecosystem on Saba. This paves the way for the possible first use of these disease-fighters in the Dutch Caribbean.

Please consider a donation to SCID. A successful pilot study on Saba would permit expanded use of this safe and effective technology. Less disease and less pesticide use can be the result!

http://www.rivm.nl/en/Documents_and_publications/Common_and_Present/Newsmessages/2017/Risks_of_potential_release_of_genetically_modified_mosquitoes_evaluated

Risks of potential release of genetically modified mosquitoes evaluated - RIVM On Saba, a Dutch Caribbean island, diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika can be reduced by the use of genetically modified mosquitoes. The mosquito is modified in such a way that it can suppress local mosquito populations that transmit these diseases. Potential release of these mosquitoes on...

http://www.wzep1460.com/zika-infections-top-300-in-florida/

This is what Zika does to a baby. It is awful. And Zika is not just a problem in other countries. It's here in Florida. Help us combat Zika as well as Dengue, Chikungunya and Yellow Fever viruses. Please donate a few dollars and pass a request on to your friends list. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

You can get cool shirts and mugs for a donation to SCID!