Trelawny Public Health Department undertaking garbage clean-up to combat rodents and leptospirosis

The Trelawney Public Health Department is undertaking a garbage clean-up exercise across the parish as it seeks to reduce the presence of rodents and mitigate against leptospirosis.

Head of the department, Venesha Barnes, told The Gleaner that the four-day programme, which began today, is being carried out at an estimated cost of $10 million.

Barnes said the department is targeting 19 areas experiencing issues with uncollected garbage.

Among the areas are Clarks Town, Albert Town, and Falmouth.

“We are targeting 19 communities based on a lack of frequent garbage collection. At the end of the four days, we plan to collect 60 truckloads of bulk waste,” Barnes said.

She added that the department has engaged dump truck services to haul the garbage to the dump in Rohampton, St James.

Barnes emphasised that piles of garbage are a breeding ground for rodents, which are among the main carriers of leptospirosis.

“We have reported cases of the disease, but none have been confirmed. The reports do not meet the criteria to officially classify them as leptospirosis,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sherwood Content councillor Dunstan Harper, whose division includes the Clarks Town community, voiced support for the clean-up initiative.

“I welcome any initiative that will help control the spread of rodents. We don’t want any deaths from leptospirosis,” Harper said.

In the meantime, Martha Brae Division councillor Roydell Hamilton is calling for the programme to be expanded to other areas, noting that some communities in his division are also struggling with garbage pile-ups.

“I have districts where garbage has been piling up for weeks due to uncollected waste,” Hamilton said.

- Leon Jackson

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