THE MINISTRY of Health is expressing shock at recent reports that rats have been invading food establishments in New Kingston.
Everton Baker, acting director of the Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department, said yesterday that his department had used numerous ways to tackle the issue, hence there should not be a great problem today.
"I am amazed at what the newspapers said," he told The Gleaner.
He noted that some years ago the problem was "atrocious"; however, this has been brought to a tolerable level as the department had been somewhat successful in its quest to eradicate the rodents.
The health department employed a number of interventions, including simultaneous baiting of the area and educating businesses about better refuse management.
According to a story in The Gleaner's Wednesday Business, Roy D'Cambre, the franchisee of Church's Chicken and Kenny Rogers Roasters on Knutsford Boulevard, had closed his business because of what he called "the plague" of the rats.
Mr. D'Cambre stated that he spent over $1 million trying to get rid of the rats without success.
In the meantime, some businesses along the New Kingston strip say the rats have not been invading their establishments. Janet White, operations manager at Bullseye Steak and Seafood, said employees strictly follow food safety practices and they have a pest control programme which is working.
WINNING THE FIGHT
Similar sentiments were shared by managers at Burger King and Wendy's, who said they, too, have pest control measures in place to keep the rodents from entering their restaurants.
"We have very strong food safety practices. We do not have a problem inside the store," Paul Issa, Wendy's franchisee, said.
The Health Ministry is emphasising, however, that it has no responsibility for eradicating the rodents.
"The reduction of the rat population in the community is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. We are here doing operational work because we know of the public health concerns," said Peter Knight, head of environmental health at the Ministry.
