VICTORIA, Seychelles — An intensive deratisation campaign is being carried out in Victoria and its surrounding areas, following weeks of complaints from residents and business owners about an increase in the number of rats. The campaign is a collaboration between the Public Health Authority, the Office of the Mayor of Victoria, the Department of Agriculture, the Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA), and the Pest Control Association Seychelles.
“We have reports of rats running about everywhere in every corner including running over people’s feet in restaurants and this is not nice. We have to do something for the health and safety of the public,” one of the campaign coordinators said. The campaign, which started late last week, is planned for six weeks, and involves the laying of bait in strategic locations, including in drains, in the vicinity of food businesses, and in residential areas.
The acting mayor of Victoria, Mrs Sicobo, acknowledged that there should have been better planning and consultations prior to the exercise, particularly in light of concerns raised by some residents about the deaths of dogs and other animals, which they claim are falling victims to the deratisation campaign. She confirmed that the campaign is necessary, given the scale of the rat problem in the city, and called on the public to report any concerns or incidents to the Public Health Authority. The authority said it would continue to monitor the situation and adjust the campaign as needed.
