Belize City has a rat problem but you don't need us tell you that because that shouldn't be news to anyone who's taken a late night drive or stroll down Albert Street. But the news tonight is that the Public Health Department is trying to do something about the problem. It's called the Healthy Lifestyle Project and it is being piloted in the Caribbean Shores area. The approach is three prong: garbage, rodents, and sanitation. Our team spent part of yesterday afternoon with the crew from the Public Health Department.
Mark Bernard, Sr. Public Health Inspector
"For every rat you see, there is like ten that you don't see so it is of concern."
And public health experts say these are the solution to Belize City's rat problem. The pellets are poison. This one is called Remik and this is Klerat. Yesterday we joined personnel from the Public Health Department on a mission to eradicate rodents. Our location was Kelly Street - a virtual rat nest. Sr. Public Health Inspector Mark Bernard led the team.
Mark Bernard,
"We are trying to work with the community in order to get refuge moved off of lots, getting lots bushed, trying to decrease the rodent population in the community, and to educate people on how to properly maintain their yard."
Keith Swift,
What are some of the things you guys have been doing?
Mark Bernard,
"Well so far we have laid rat poison, rat baits, into the homes and outside. There are two different types we have. We have been giving out some garbage bags to encourage people to bag their garbage and to put it out and we've also been encouraging them to put out the bigger stuff that is in their yards."
Bernard says the city has a thriving rat population and Kelly street is just the start.
Mark Bernard,
"The idea is to empower them and to encourage them and to support them in order to get their yard to a certain standard. It hoped that after this exercise is complete, that they would continue and use their own initiative to maintain it that way. It is not a one shot thing where we just expect that maybe next week we find back the same problem, we hope that the residents will understand the whole objective of this exercise and to do their part."
The project runs through to May 17th.
