Westmoreland Public Health Dept. Expands Rodent Control Programme

The Westmoreland Public Health Department has expanded its rodent control programme across several communities as part of efforts to address complaints and safeguard public health.

Chief Public Health Inspector for the parish, Steve Morris, made the disclosure during the recent monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation in Savanna-la-Mar.

He outlined that the initiative is being strategically deployed in response to reports from residents and key institutions.

“[The programme] has been extended into several communities across the parish. These include Broughton, Petersfield, and the New Works area. So far, we have placed over 2,178 bait stations [and] we have revisited them,” he said.

The programme involves the placement of bait stations in targeted areas, which are monitored and replenished by health officials.

“Approximately 14,000 bait stations have already been used in the programme,” Mr. Morris informed.

He noted that interventions are being guided by complaints from residents, with teams responding to areas reporting rodent activity.

“So, we have been into areas where persons have reported or complained of rodents and so we have been in those communities – Emmaville, the Albany Housing Scheme and the Shrewsbury Housing Scheme,” he outlined, adding that the initiative has also been extended to public institutions and critical facilities.

Mr. Morris emphasised that the success of the programme depends on public cooperation, particularly in safeguarding the bait stations.

“So, we continue to ask residents not to tamper with these bait stations because they are marked and they are revisited and restocked as needed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Morris also provided an update on shelter occupancy across the parish, noting that some residents remain displaced.

He informed that as of April 9, the parish has some 16 shelters in operation with 158 persons still occupying them.