Environmental Health Department encourages safe health practices during Carnival

ROSEAU – All food vendors have been reminded to practice safe food handling procedures during the Dominica Carnival season.

Environment Health Officer Clara Charles gave various health and sanitation tips during her recent message to the public.

These tips include keeping valid food handling permits clearly visible, keeping heads covered and wearing clean clothing, serving freshly prepared food, covering waste receptacles and keeping salads on ice. 

The Environmental Health Department will monitor and supervise food handling activities during the Carnival season.

Charles also noted there have been reported cases of the Zika virus infection in 18 countries, some as near as Martinique, Barbados, St Maarten and Puerto Rico.

The illness, spread by the Aedes Egypti mosquito, brings on conditions such as mild fever, rash and headaches between two to seven days from the mosquito bite.

She urged the public to minimise exposure to mosquito bites by preventing collection of stagnant water, wearing long clothing to keep the skin covered, particularly during dusk and dawn, and keeping insect repellent handy.

Charles also encouraged local hoteliers to keep windows and doors protected with insect screens, and to provide mosquito nets for bedding. (PR)