KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton is warning the public to be vigilant about food safety in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Dr Tufton, who was speaking at a press conference on Saturday, noted that the loss of electricity in sections of the island has significantly increased the risk of food contamination and foodborne illnesses.

“During this period, when we have no electricity, the probability of food contamination and food poisoning is greatly increased. Refrigeration, which is non-existent in these areas, meat kinds and other types of foods may be contaminated either by not being refrigerated or by rodents and other such insects or otherwise that could spread diseases,” Tufton said.

The health minister said approximately 400 environmental health officers will be deployed on Monday across the island to inspect food establishments to protect consumers.

“I know it’s a difficult time, and I know food is precious, but it can be quite dangerous to consume contaminated food or spoiled food and so I’m making an appeal to the public, work with our public health inspectors…who will be there essentially giving good advice…but also protecting you from the possibility of food poisoning because that is real. And the consequences of this can be extreme, including death,” Tufton warned.

The minister said communities without electricity will be reached through town criers and other traditional communication methods to ensure that safety messages are delivered.

Dr Tufton also urged residents to discard spoiled food, suspicious meats or any items exposed to floodwaters, and to report such cases to their local public health department or the nearest police station.

“The public health inspectors will also work closely with farmers, with butcher shops, with supermarkets, wholesalers, and all of the different establishments to ensure that we provide that protection,” he said.

The health minister noted that a similar approach will be taken to monitor water quality and sanitation conditions, as contaminated water and improper waste disposal can further compound health risks in the post-storm period.

Dr Tufton also warned that diseases such as leptospirosis and gastroenteritis tend to increase following heavy rainfall and flooding.

“Rats tend to move from the field where they are dry and now wet into places where they can find some warmth, and that’s normally in people’s homes and those diseases can be quite, can be more frequent in these times. So again, we ask persons to manage that process carefully,” he urged.

Public health inspectors will be conducting sanitation assessments in shelters and affected communities, ensuring that solid waste is properly disposed of and that residents are protected from health threats.

On the matter of vector control, Dr Tufton said the ministry is intensifying efforts to curb the expected increase in mosquito, fly and rodent populations following the recent heavy rains.

“So in a few days, starting this coming week, you will see, I would say maybe close to 1,000 workers between permanent and temporary vector workers. They’ll be deployed throughout the country in communities to the extent that they can move through communities, treating water storage facilities, drums, giving advice. The fogging will be picked up also in those communities,” Dr Tufton said.

He said private contractors will also be engaged to boost coverage.

Members of the public are being urged to use mosquito repellent, cover water containers and dispose of waste properly to prevent stagnant water from becoming breeding grounds.

—Vanassa McKenzie