THE Public Health Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has lamented the manner in which residents continue to dispose of their garbage, citing the harmful effects that result from such practices.

Head of that department, Suzette Reynolds told this publication on Friday that residents continue to do a number of things that worsen their environment and cause the breeding of rats, mosquitoes and other harmful insects.

“Persons are being careless about how they dispose of their garbage. No one should be sweeping dust and garbage into the drains. Instead of having flowing water, this contributes to stagnant water,” Reynolds pointed out.

Reynolds said she finds it alarming that there are already more than 30 cases of leptospirosis reported for the year. “Just recently, I saw a patient who was hospitalised for leptospirosis and he related that he was almost certain that his home environment contributed to it. He said in his community, persons would throw rice and garbage around,” she recalled.

Rats, she noted, carry Hepatitis B and C which has no cure and which can ultimately lead to death.

While the City Council is doing a lot of spraying and other works, Reynolds said citizens too also have their role to play.

Meanwhile, after waiting six months, the department has finally been granted the tools and chemicals needed by the Vector Control Department to keep the City clean and rid it of mosquitoes.

Last January, the M&CC held a press conference at which they reported that the intention was to conduct massive cleaning exercises and do additional works in an effort to keep dengue at bay.

Fearful of a dengue outbreak, the City Council had said it wanted to spray the City more often for mosquitoes. The chemicals and tools needed were however lacking. Reynolds had subsequently reported that the materials needed were finally with her department.
She had reported that there have been numerous reports of increased mosquito activity, especially with the changing weather. “The mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in the water and the low lying areas would have a high rate of mosquitoes breeding happening,”
Reynolds told this newspaper that the City Council does not have the manpower to effectively cover the entire City, as she pointed to the fact that there are only three vector control staff members. However, she noted that the three officers, all ladies, are doing an acceptable job.