The Vector Control Unit of the Public Health Department is embarking on a project to reduce the number of rats in Kingstown.
The unit is placing baits in rodent burrows in the city and providing public education awareness. The project involves conducting information sessions at government departments, businesses, schools and food outlets.
There is also an aspect of data collection in terms of food storage and food disposal practices at food establishments.
The project, which began in March, runs until April 27. The unit will then conduct a post- assessment with food outlets to establish what changes they have implemented in food disposal practices.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Ralph Williams, told the Agency for Public Information that he expects the initiative to be successful but calls on the stakeholders to take their part seriously.
Williams added that though similar projects have been conducted before and with success, it is hoped that “through public education that the general public will change their habits that may encourage rats…
“One of the concerns really is the particular disease Leptospirosis that annually we always have cases and that is one of our major concerns really,” Williams said.
Why now? Why was this effort not done when the rodents problem was identified? Is it because that there are about some alleged deaths recently from leptospirosis? Is it true these deaths occur because of this condition?