Dennie Quill, Contributor
TAKE A casual stroll into New Kingston any evening and you will see dozens of rats the size of cats criss-crossing the pavement. This is no exaggeration. The rat population in this commercial centre has been growing steadily with the addition of new eateries along the New Kingston corridor.
These rats are not depraved or deprived - improper disposal of garbage keeps them fed and they multiply. So I was not surprised to see the headline in Tuesday's Gleaner 'Lepto alarm' and to learn that suspected cases had doubled in the first six months of 2005.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to human beings. Apparently, the type most common in Jamaica is the Weil's disease which is spread by rats. We have sloppy habits to blame for this malady.
This is a public health risk and the Ministry of Health and the KSAC appear to be taking the threat too lightly. The fact that the symptoms mirror the flu means persons may be affected and, as is common practice, may be taking over-the-counter medication for a serious illness. Proper diagnosis may come too late
Pest control is a basic, yet important public health function. The Ministry of Health should be doing much more, from educating citizens about correct hygiene to attacking the problem by ensuring better enforcement of controls regarding waste and litter disposal. The first step is for a comprehensive survey to be done in New Kingston to determine how many premises are infested by rats. Notices should be served on the owners of these premises to rat-proof their buildings. Every householder knows that rats can be controlled. The moment you spot one inside your home, if you take the necessary measures you will be successful in eliminating them.
HORRIBLE STINK
While some culpability for the rat infestation rests with the restaurants in the area because of improper disposal of garbage, patrons must also share the responsibility. These owners should be forced to place and store their garbage in covered metal containers. There is a horrible stink over New Kingston on garbage collection days. In extreme cases where owners refuse to take necessary eradication measures, the building should be quarantined until the order is complied with.
I believe a surcharge should be levied against operators of these eateries to compensate for the extra garbage which they generate as well as to institute a rat eradication drive. Once the eradication is undertaken, this should be followed by preventative methods. Many cities are faced with rat infestation but they are actively seeking to deal with it, including having helicopters drop poison.
Hungary has a serious rat problem with the Norway species and decided to tackle it head-on.
Between April 1971 and December 1972 about 112 employees were engaged in a campaign to rid the capital, Budapest, of rats. By 1973, the World Health Organisation was lauding Budapest as having the best long-term rat control programme in the world. Can't we ask them for some help?
And dog owners - beware - you could contract the disease from your pet if it bites you or a member of the household. Thankfully, you can get the dog vaccinated.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
