AS THE St. James Public Health Service steps up its drive to eradicate rodents and reduce the risk of leptospirosis, a disease spread by the rodents, widespread baiting has been carried out in urban Montego Bay, St. James.
Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Hubert Cooke, said that rat baiting has been taking place over the past three weeks following a survey to determine the areas of greatest infestation.
The area covered encircles the city, taking in Catherine Hall, moving north-east off the Howard Cooke Highway, turning south-east into Albion passing the St. James Infirmary, detouring at Felicity Road (popularly known as Blood Lane), on to King Street into Brandon Hill, proceeding through Mt. Salem and Westgate Hills taking in Barnett and Westgreen.
PRECAUTIONS
Households and business establishments have been issued with pamphlets outlining precautions to be taken, and Mr. Cooke is reminding residents to exercise caution. Children in particular should be instructed not to remove or tamper with the bamboo in which the poisonous substance has been placed at the baiting stations. The 'Klerat' bait resembles blue cake soap, though small in size.
POISONOUS SUBSTANCE
The baiting stations are mainly near garbage bins, areas of storage both indoor and outdoor, and by fences. These should not be disturbed but in the event of someone inadvertently consuming the bait, first make the person vomit, remove the poisonous substance and place it in a plastic bag, then seek medical attention immediately at the nearest health centre or hospital, taking along the bait.
