Environmental health officers deployed for post-hurricane inspections

 

Hundreds of environmental health officers were on Monday deployed to communities and businesses to inspect and discard foods, which are no longer fit for consumption, as many areas remain without electricity following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

 

Public health inspectors have been in the field since last week. 

 

Contamination of foods from flood waters and insects are also of concern for the Ministry of Health and Wellness. 

 

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton is cautioning Jamaicans to be mindful of what they consume, especially at this time.

 

"Starting Monday, the 400 plus, and as we account for others, will be in the field inspecting food establishments and really protecting the consumers, protecting all of us. Already, we have had to condemn some foods that have been assessed in the chain. And I know it's a difficult time and I know food is precious, but it can be quite dangerous to consume contaminated food or spoiled food. And so I'm making an appeal to the public, work with our public health inspectors who come into the field," he urged.

 

Dr. Tufton also advised that the same precaution should be taken toward water quality. 

 

"We will be issuing public advisories on water treatment, safe consumption practices, chlorine residual and turbidity testing across the country. We're going to be doing that. The public health inspectors, they'll be focusing on emergency shelters, hospitals and public health facilities, schools and to ensure that the safety standards are met. Because again, waterborne diseases can be a very dangerous issue. We are working with NWC re trucking of water and to ensuring...we preserve the integrity of the food chain."

 

Dr. Tufton, who was speaking at a press conference on Saturday, said town criers and other means of communication will be used to alert residents in communities without electricity and internet connectivity. 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is engaging 413 temporary vector control workers across the island in response to the influx of mosquitoes, flies and rodents. 

 

"We have some 498 permanent staff and 260 already on the ground - temporary workers on the ground. So in another few days, starting this coming week, you will see, I would say maybe close to a thousand workers between permanent and temporary vector workers. They'll be deployed throughout the country in communities, to the extent that they can move through communities, treating water storage facilities, drums, giving advice. The fogging will be picked up also in those communities. We'll be engaging some private contractors," he announced. 

 

Members of the public are being encouraged to protect themselves and manage their immediate surroundings as best as possible.