Water warning
Published:Thursday | June 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
- Health ministry to engage in disease-control efforts; provides safety tips after heavy rains
Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter
As a result of the heavy showers that have been lashing the island over the last week, the Ministry of Health says it will be heightening its vector-borne disease-control programme in an attempt to rid the country of mosquitoes.
Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse, director, emergency disaster management and special services in the ministry, said the preventative activity would be done across the island as soon as the rains stop.
"Due to the increase in the pooling and collection of water, there can be increased breeding so we will continue to monitor the situation, after which we will take the necessary action," Bullock-DuCasse said.
She encouraged the public to make every effort to treat water for domestic use as it could pose a serious health risk.
treat drinking water
"We urge persons who are taking water from rivers, springs or streams that they are to treat the water before they use it for drinking or cooking," she said.
She added that the water could be made safe for use by treating each quart with two drops of bleach, shaking and leaving for 30 minutes.
Bullock-DuCasse said that in an effort to avoid a rise in gastro-enteritis and other illnesses, persons should take the precautionary measures seriously.
She also urged persons to stay out of water they have difficulty seeing in, as it could cause serious injuries.
"We urge persons to ensure that they are wearing shoes, and for the pools of water that they do not swim in them or use them for recreational purposes," she said.