ST JAMES, Jamaica — A comprehensive rodent control programme is to be implemented across several communities in Westmoreland as public health officials intensify efforts to reduce environmental risks and improve sanitation standards.

The initiative, which will be carried out by the Westmoreland Public Health Department, will target communities such as Negril, Grange Hill, Savanna-la-Mar, Petersfield, Whitehouse, Darliston and Bethel Town.

Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, shared that the programme will include the strategic placement of rodent bait stations throughout selected areas in each community.

He noted that the intervention will be carefully monitored, with teams returning to assess bait uptake and conduct re-baiting where necessary, to ensure the effectiveness of the exercise.

Morris further indicated that the programme will be complemented by scheduled clean-up operations, both at the start and conclusion of the baiting phase, to address environmental conditions that contribute to rodent activity.

“We just did an initial clean-up, and within another two or three weeks, after we have completed the programme and removed the bait stations, we’ll be doing another clean-up,” he stated.

In addition, the chief public health inspector disclosed that drain cleaning will be incorporated into the programme, marking an expansion of the traditional rodent-control framework.

“This is not normally a major part of the rodent-control programme, but we’re going to be using it going forward because we’re not just looking at the rodents but also other areas that can affect the population,” Morris stated.

Residents are also being urged to cooperate with health teams by allowing access to properties and refraining from tampering with bait stations, as officials work to execute the programme safely and efficiently.

— JIS