May Pen Cemetery safe after cholera scare

THE PUBLIC Health Department confirmed Tuesday that the cholera section of the May Pen cemetery was not disturbed by thieves who desecrated over 100 graves there on the weekend.

This confirmation by Dr Herb Elliott, a medical doctor of health in the Public Health Department, put to rest fears raised by Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie that desecration of the cemetery, particularly the cholera section, could pose a public-health risk.

Elliott, who visited the May Pen Cemetery, located along Spanish Town Road, cautioned that there are always public-health concerns when graves are disturbed.

However, he insisted that "in general" there were no such concerns arising from the desecration, which occurred last weekend.

Instead, he warned that those involved should be concerned that "they can catch a whole lot a things".

"It depends on what the person died from ... whether it is bacteria; tuberculosis or something like that," he explained.

McKenzie, who was speaking at the monthly meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) at its Church Street offices on Tuesday, said more than 100 caskets and their remains were dug up.

The mayor said metal handles and "whatever else they could find", were removed from the caskets, and blamed the desecration on the scrap-metal and cash-for-gold trades.

"Why would you remove the handle from a casket? Some you leave and some you take, so it is evident what they (were) looking for," he said.

"When the society reaches the stage where the dead is being disturbed as a means of livelihood, it speaks of a sick society," he added.

In addition, McKenzie said the graves targeted on the weekend belonged to persons who died in the 1980s and 1990s when it was customary to bury persons in expensive jewellery.

He said the police have been called in to investigate the incident.

In addition, he said the KSAC will ensure that the vaults and graves that were disturbed are put back in place as quickly as possible.

"We are going to move with some haste to try and remedy the situation as quickly as possible," he said.