CLARENDON:
THE VETERINARY Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture has stepped up its screwworm-eradication programme in Clarendon to combat the high levels of screwworm infestation in the parish.According to Dr. Ofbil Watson, regional veterinary officer, there was an increase in the number of screwworm- cases in January and as a result, the move to increase surveillance of the area was taken. Dr. Watson said a team from the screwworm- eradication prog-ramme distributed posters which gives information on the screwworm-, coumafos, five per cent powder, and hands on treatment of wounds in an effort to contain the situation.
Dr. Watson linked the difficulties in containing the screwworm- infestation in animals to the large population of stray animals. He said this makes their work difficult in that, "we can't catch them (the animals) to treat the wounds (which then stray to other areas and adds to the problem)."
He pointed out that "if the pound in the parish was functioning as it should be, then we could contain the animals." This would prevent the spread of the screwworm- to other animals and humans.
He also cited a lack of interest on the part of animal owners who don't pay attention to treating their animals when they get cuts or bruises which then provides a heaven for the screwworm- flies. Dr. Watson noted that this problem is common mostly to the working class. In light of this, the initiative was taken recently to visit the business establishment in May Pen to educate the workers about the screwworm- of which Dr. Watson said "they were very co-operative." He said dogs account for the great portion of animals infected with the screwworm-.
Screwworm infestation among humans is also a problem in the parish. "The number of human cases is still alarming", Dr. Watson said. He noted that street people, the indigent, the aged and to a lesser extent babies and persons with diabetes are the ones mostly infected by screwworm. Mainly because these persons are unable to care for themselves and in the case of diabetics special attention has to be given due to the tendency of these people to heal at a much slower pace.
The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is also a measure used by the screwworm- eradication programme by releasing sterile insect flies in the area by air.
The sterile male flies then mate with the female screwworm- flies which makes them unable to produce an egg and as a result no offspring is produced which breaks the cycle of screwworm - flies. According to Dr. Watson approximately 6,000-9,000 sterile flies per square mile are released in the air twice per week. Depending on how bad the situation is in an area.
As it relates to Clarendon the number of sterile flies released in the air has been increased from 6,000 to 9,000 per square miles two times per week.
However, Dr. Watson said the situation is under control as the number of reported cases of screwworm- infestation in the parish has been trending downwards. But, Dr. Watson said he would like greater participation from the public in eradicating the screwworm. "A lot of people stay away and don't notify us because they probably think that we will charge them". This is not so he stated and is encouraging the public to notify the screwworm- eradication team who will treat the problem free of charge.
