By Trudy Simpson,
Staff Reporter
VETERINARIANS AND field officers from the National Screw worm Eradication Programme (NSEP), yesterday started a programme of inspecting animals, mainly dogs, in a number of inner-city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew.
Standpipe in St. Andrew, was targeted as the first stop in a journey which will see them covering up to 12 communities in a bid to reduce incidences of screw worm in animals to single digit figures.
"This is a thrust aimed at mainly dogs, because at least 90 per cent of all screw worm cases which have been reported by veterinarians and private clinics in Kingston and St. Andrew, have been in dogs. But if they have other animals, they will be looked at," said Senior Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Cedric Lazarus.
Dr. Lazarus said these communities were being targeted because their residents were among those least likely to take their animals to a veterinarian, and because Kingston and St. Andrew were among five parishes where the number of screw worm cases concerned the NSEP. The other parishes are: Clarendon, St. Catherine and St. Ann, all of which reported between 20 and 30 cases .
Next on the list is August Town which the NSEP will visit tomorrow. Other areas to be visited include Trench Town, Riverton City, Franklin Town, Allman Town, Craig Town, Matthews Lane and surrounding areas.
Dr. Lazarus explained that each community is to have a repeat visit, three weeks after the first, to make sure that there is no infestation. Three weeks is the regular life cycle of the screw worm. The communities will also receive free insecticide powder and any infected animals will be treated. This aspect should be completed in about two months. The team will also visit Portmore, Old Harbour, May Pen, Brown's Town and Moneague.
He said NSEP will also visit Portmore, Old Harbour, May Pen, Moneague and Browns Town.
