Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer

Black River, St. Elizabeth:

At least one hotelier in St. Elizabeth is expressing fear that an increase in malaria infections could adversely affect tourism in the parish, particularly the resort community of Treasure Beach.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Treasure Beach hotelier, Jason Henzell, said the current malaria situation in the community posed a huge threat to tourism in the area. He said the authorities should move swiftly to control any further spreading of the virus.

Hurt Occupancy

"If this (malaria) were to go wider in the Great Bay-Treasure Beach area, it could significantly hurt our occupancy levels and we cannot afford that," Mr. Henzell lamented.

But so far he said, "I am really impressed with how the authorities have taken steps to address the problem. The team from the Black River hospital has being doing a good job by visiting the houses in Great Bay, while conducting their investigations in the general area."

Speaking at a press briefing in Black River last Thursday, Opposition spokesman on health, Dr. Ken Baugh, called on the Government to make more funds available to deal with the problem, pointing to the increase in malaria infections in the island.

Dr. Christopher Tufton, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for southwest St. Elizabeth, suggested that an inter-sectoral committee be established to deal with the malaria problem affecting communities across the island. He said with more persons being infected with the virus, there was need for more meaningful approaches to deal with malaria.

"We need more effective strategies in the fight against the malaria disease and the rural areas certainly need a great deal of support," he said. And according to him, " I have information that ... in some cases because of the malaria situation at least one hotel had experienced some cancellations."

Four confirmed cases

Chief public health inspector for St. Elizabeth, Lester Beharie, said that up to last Friday there were four confirmed cases of malaria and less than 10 suspected cases of the disease in the parish. Mr. Beharie said there was an on-going vector control programme for the parish, which included fogging and oiling of stagnant water in Slipe, Vineyard, Arlington, Parrottee, Black River, Great Bay, Siloah and Knoxwood.

"We are doing everything in our powers to control the spreading of the disease by increasing our vector control/anti-malaria campaign in the parish," he said.

Mayor of Black River, Franklyn Witter, said the St. Elizabeth Parish Council had donated $100,000 to the local health department to assist with the anti-malaria campaign.