The Central Board of Health (CBH) is stepping up its efforts to tackle the island’s rodent problem with the launch of its “WANTED DEAD—NOT ALIVE” Anti-Rodent Campaign 2025.
The initiative, spearheaded by the CBH’s Vector Control Unit, officially begins on Monday, September 8, with the first phase running until October 31.
During this period, teams will focus on trapping and collection exercises in five targeted communities: St. John’s City, Gray’s Farm, Browne’s Avenue, St. Johnson’s Village, and Potters Village.
Health officials say the campaign has four main goals: to raise awareness of the health risks associated with rodents, encourage residents to take preventive measures, reduce rodent populations in high-risk areas, and curb the spread of rodent-borne diseases through improved sanitation.
“Community participation is essential,” the CBH noted in its release, urging householders and businesses to keep their surroundings clean, properly store waste, and cooperate with field officers.
The campaign will continue later this year with a public education drive in November, which will include workshops and outreach events to further engage communities.
Authorities say the success of the campaign depends heavily on residents’ involvement and their commitment to keeping neighborhoods clean.
This is an awesome and much needed endeavor. People must be cognizant that rats are truly nasty and carry myriad diseases and the importance of eradicating them. I hope the communities engage in the workshops and take whatever measures necessary to effectively deal with this pest. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
This is very much needed, but you all need to come country for dem bush rats that run out at 6pm and ho home at 5am.