The Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health, Region Ten, conducted an awareness exercise outside the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) Building, focusing on sanitation, vector control, and environmental issues.
Regional Environmental Officer Carla Edwards highlighted the importance of the exercise in raising awareness among Linden residents about proper sanitation practices and vector control.
She emphasized that littering is a significant environmental concern in the town and can contribute to the spread of diseases.
Edwards also addressed the proper packaging of food items, cautioning against purchasing items without labels or with damaged packaging that could indicate tampering.
She stressed the importance of food safety and highlighted the risks associated with consuming improperly packaged or damaged food products.
Environmental Health Assistant Jaren Watson explained the five keys to food safety, emphasizing the importance of separating meat from fruits and ensuring thorough cooking at the right temperature to prevent foodborne illnesses.
On the topic of vector control, Environmental Officer Tracia Hutson raised awareness about cases of Dengue Fever and urged citizens to take preventive measures such as using mosquito nets and maintaining a clean environment to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
Hutson also warned against leaving open containers of water in and around residential areas, as they can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The awareness exercise aimed to educate the community about crucial health and environmental issues, promoting practices that contribute to a safer and healthier living environment for residents of Linden.