Trelawny Health Department to undertake another round of rodent control, bulky waste removal

The Trelawny Health Department is to undertake another round of pest control interventions and the removal of bulky waste in communities as part of efforts to address the problem of rodents.

Chief Public Health Inspector Venesha Barnes told The Gleaner that phase one saw the department setting baits and removing garbage from several communities.

Barnes said the programme cost $10 million.

She said 59 truckloads of waste were collected.

According to Barnes, communities saw a decline in rodent populations following the laying of baits.

“There have been no reports of leptospirosis, and residents have reported seeing dead rats.”

She said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in collaboration with the Jamaica Red Cross, has donated $2 million to the department, which will be used to undertake phase two of pest control interventions.

“This will help us to collect another 25 loads of bulky waste and bait other communities.”

- Leon Jackson

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