Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

ST ANN'S BAY, St Ann:

The malaria threat that has been hanging over the parish of St Ann since the report of an imported case of the disease was made public in January, is no longer there.

Karen Brown, public health inspector for the parish, told the monthly meeting of the St Ann Parish Council last Thursday that there is no local transmission of the disease taking place.

She said a survey was conducted in the community of Cardiff Hall which revealed that "only 16 persons were present with fever".

"These persons were investigated, there was no evidence that any local transmission was taking place," she said.

Brown also told the council that breeding sites were identified and treated.

"However, there is one particular site which is a river and you know that is a permanent site. It is being monitored by the health department, wherever treatment can be done, it is done."

preventive measures

Regarding dengue, Brown said fever cases have been reduced drastically and so the intensified preventive measures have been relaxed. The health department is now responding to complaints received from communities.

Meanwhile, the Keep Jamaica Clean programme continues, according to the public health inspector.

Currently there is a programme to reduce the breeding of rodents in the parish.

Baiting (setting of rat poison) has commenced in the Claremont area of St Ann, where 50 premises have been baited.

Other areas to be baited include Alexandria, Ocho Rios, St Ann's Bay and Brown's Town.