Safety concerns for public health workers in light of attack

Concern is being raised about the safety of  public health workers following an incident in which a team carrying out fogging was attacked.

It occurred in Ferry Hill on the border of  St. Catherine and St. Andrew on Wednesday evening. It's reported that when the vector control team entered in the community it was stoned by residents. The workers escaped injury.

This was confirmed by Chief  Public Health Inspector for St. Catherine, Richard Baker, at yesterday's meeting of  the Parish Council. It's unclear what triggered the attack. Mr. Baker called for the Councillors' intervention in protecting the workers in carrying out their duties.

Mayor of  Spanish Town, Norman Scott, suggested that the matter be referred to the Member of Parliament, the Ministry of  Health as well as Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, KSAC.

Medical Officer of  Health for St. Catherine, Dr. Francia Prosper-Chen, says persons have been turning up at health centres in the parish with symptoms of  the Chikungunya virus. Speaking at yesterday's Parish Council meeting, Dr. Chen said she's awaiting results of  samples sent overseas for testing.

Dr. Chen is encouraging residents to rid their surroundings of mosquito breeding sites.St. Catherine has three confirmed cases of  Chikungunya.