The Central Board of Health’s Vector Control Unit is launching its “WANTED DEAD—NOT ALIVE” Anti-rodent Campaign 2025 aimed at reducing the high prevalence of rodents in communities across Antigua.
Principal Public Health Inspector Julienne Mannix-Galloway said the campaign is in response to growing complaints from residents in several communities as well as from surveillance by her team indicating that the rodent population has reached unacceptable levels.
“We know that rodents are vectors for a number of diseases, mainly leptospirosis which if left untreated can possibly lead to death. Our aim on this campaign is therefore twofold; firstly, we want to determine how serious is the rodent problem in across the island and we want to begin steps to reduce their numbers drastically,” she explained.
She announced that Phase One of the campaign kicks off on Monday, September 8, (today) focusing on trapping and collection in various communities and she is calling on members of the public to assist her team in successfully tackling the problem.
Phase 1 schedule (Sept 8–Oct 31):
Target communities:
-St. John’s City
-Gray’s Farm
-Browne’s Avenue
-St. Johnson’s Village
-Potters Village
The objectives of the campaign are as follows;
- Increase public awareness about the health risks and prevention methods associated with rodents
- Mobilize community members to actively participate in rodent control on their properties and in public spaces
- Decrease the rodent population in targeted communities to improve public health and sanitation
- Minimize the transmission of diseases linked to rodents through improved sanitation and control efforts
According to Mannix-Galloway the campaign will focus on a number of other events in November as well as undertake a public education programme.
“Your participation is key to a healthier, rodent-free community,” she noted.
