Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, is urging residents to strengthen personal protection measures and actively support vector-control initiatives, as the parish intensifies its dengue-prevention efforts.

“We still have to be reminding our residents, especially about [the importance of] search and destroy [activities] in and around their premises,” he told JIS News.

Morris encourages residents to “protect themselves with repellents at night and, importantly, support the vector-control workers, especially in the evenings when they carry out fogging”.

He disclosed that several teams have faced hostility while conducting fogging operations in communities.

“We have had officers hit with stones and had to retreat from areas. Support our teams when they come out, and do not abuse them or stone them. Allow them to do what they are here to do,” the public health inspector urged.

Morris reported that fogging and household inspections are ongoing across the parish, supported by 25 temporary task workers alongside the core public health team of 59 officers.

“They are going out during the day doing their larvicide work and health education in homes, and in the morning and evening we’re doing fogging,” he noted, adding that task workers are expected to remain in the parish until January.

Regarding leptospirosis, Morris confirmed that Westmoreland has received both notifications and laboratory-confirmed cases, and noted that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has circulated the related figures.

He explained that although rodents are often blamed, domestic and farm animals account for the majority of confirmed cases. “Over 90 per cent of the confirmed cases of leptospirosis are from domestic animals and pets,” he indicated.

Following recent rains and the emergence of several new springs, Morris cautioned that some water sources may be contaminated. “Some of them are running through animal farms…and so they may be contaminated. Wear your water boots; don’t just walk into them barefooted,” he urged.

The Public Health Department has intensified public education across communities, advising residents to avoid wading in floodwaters, which can allow bacteria to enter the body through cuts.

Health inspectors have also been distributing chlorine tablets to help residents safely treat drinking water, as piped supplies continue to stabilise.

Morris reported that the outreach efforts are yielding results, noting that “the number of persons at these springs has decreased significantly…I would say the message is getting through”.