ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua and Barbuda has launched an island-wide campaign aimed at reducing the high prevalence of rodents in communities across the island.
Principal Public Health Inspector Julienne Mannix-Galloway said the “WANTED DEAD NOT ALIVE” anti-rodent campaign is in response to growing complaints from residents in several communities as well as from surveillance by her team indicating that the rodent population has reached unacceptable levels.
“We know that rodents are vectors for a number of diseases, mainly leptospirosis which if left untreated can possibly lead to death. Our aim on this campaign is therefore twofold; firstly, we want to determine how serious is the rodent problem in across the island and we want to begin steps to reduce their numbers drastically,” she said, noting that the Central Board of Health’s Vector Control Unit, is coordinating the campaign.
She said the first phase of the campaign gets underway on Monday focusing on trapping and the collection in various communities and is calling on members of the public to assist her team in successfully tackling the problem.
The objectives of the campaign are to increase public awareness about the health risks and prevention methods associated with rodents, mobilize community members to actively participate in rodent control on their properties and in public spaces as well as to decrease the rodent population in targeted communities to improve public health and sanitation.
The campaign is also intended to minimize the transmission of diseases linked to rodents through improved sanitation and control Efforts
“Your participation is key to a healthier, rodent-free community,” Mannix-Galloway said, adding that the campaign will focus on a number of other events in November as well as undertake a public education programme.
