PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Though Portland’s rodent control programme had to be scaled back, the parish’s medical officer for health Dr Sharon Lewis said it got the job done.

“Zero sightings of live rodents were observed as of the 30th of September. Though the rodent control programme had to be curtailed as a result of budgetary constraints, the programme that was implemented was successful nevertheless. Thanks to all involved, and we hope to collaborate with the various stakeholders to do more baiting soon,” she said.

She was speaking during last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation. In previous meetings, concerns were raised about rodents roaming the streets of the town and Lewis appealed for support for a plan to rid the area of them. The municipal corporation and the Port Authority of Jamaica were among those who got on board and Errol Flynn Marina was one of the areas of focus.

“There were educational sessions regarding rodent control and leptospirosis at seven educational institutions in Port Antonio, reaching a population of 1,178 persons. An educational session was conducted with business operators and residents within the boundaries of the area to be baited, reaching 165 persons,” said Dr Lewis.

“A pop-up educational session was conducted on-site at the marina, reaching 325 persons who commute through the venue. Baiting and re-baiting exercises were completed at the Errol Flynn Marina on August 29. Four hundred and ninety bait stations were installed, 24 dead rodents were retrieved, and the odour of dead rodents was detected at 10 other locations. Additionally, residents reported seeing five other dead rodents,” she added.

She also gave an update on the rat-borne disease, leptospirosis, saying between January and September this year two of the six cases reported case were confirmed as positive.

“Fortunately, there were no associated deaths. During the corresponding period in 2024, three suspected cases were reported, and one case was confirmed. Although the case numbers remain low, the department remains vigilant in its surveillance and response,” said Dr Lewis.

She also touched on the topic of hiccups with garbage collection, which is also linked to rodent infestation.

“The Portland Health Department has observed that there are still challenges in getting the solid waste that is temporarily stored in receptacles at collection points along our roadways being removed consistently. This results in a significant overflow of solid waste at these collection points,” said Dr Lewis

“It is hoped that this problem will be resolved very soon so that the refuse collection points can be kept in a sanitary manner and therefore reduce the risk of carriage and breeding of disease-carrying rodents,” she appealed.

— Everard Owen

A screen grab of a video shared with the Jamaica Observer shows a rat in a wardrobe in the female living quarters at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland.