Stringent measures will need to be implemented to ensure an effective eradication programme is in place for termites in Lautoka.
These were the comments of Government entomologist Mr Ilaisa Dakaica as Operation Kadivuka enters its 14th day of operation.
Mr Dakaica said such measures include putting in place chronological stages of assessments and follow-up site visits of areas that had been marked during area surveys of biosecurity-declared zones in Lautoka.
Senior biosecurity officer West Mr Lemeki Ratucicivi reiterated that all approaches to containing and finally eradicating the Asian Subterranean Termites will be done in a scientific manner.
Similarly, Mr Dakaica said the species of termites now in Fiji is the second most destructive termite in the world and there is a need to fully understand the biology of the termite.
The termite infestation in parts of Lautoka is a biosecurity issue. Government will do all it can to assess the risk of the termite pest in the country.
Mr Dakaica added biosecurity was in everyone’s interest, making it everyone’s responsibility.
Taskforce teams continue area surveys today and a total of 1,840 houses have already been surveyed in biosecurity-declared zones around Lautoka.