The Ministry of Health is continuing its surveillance on the South Coast in an effort to avert any possible risks to public health as a result of the sewage spills in the area.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Anton Best, said the ministry had put several preventative measures in place to contain any possible risks to those living and working in the area.
He said in a government statement said that “as the Barbados Water Authority continues to address the challenges of the sewage spills, environmental health officers assigned to the ministry are conducting inspections along the south coast to address issues related to sanitation and vector control”.
Best also said the culex mosquitoes in the area were being controlled by daily fogging and treatment of contaminated water with chemical larvicide.
The ministry is urging residents and business owners experiencing problems with mosquitoes or environmental health issues to contact its officers at the Randal Phillips Polyclinic at 428-3324.
Environmental health officers are continuing to monitor food handling practices in hotels, restaurants and other food establishments within the affected areas and are working closely with management and workers, especially in the areas of good pest management programmes, and the cleaning and sanitising of work spaces.
There is additional testing of the potable water supply on the South Coast to ensure that it remains safe to drink and routine sampling of water, along with chlorine residual testing, is conducted weekly to identify any potential hazards or risks.
The near shore water is also being monitored by the Environmental Protection Department on a continuous basis to ensure that beaches in the area remain safe for recreational use. (JDS/GIS)
