Media invitation

World Health Day 2010 - Rodent Awareness Campaign in Bertrams

The World Health Organization Collaboration Centre for Urban Health (WHOCCUH) will embark on a rodent awareness campaign in Bertrams, Johannesburg on April 7th in commemoration of the World Health Organization’s World Health Day 2010.

This year, the worldwide campaign will focus on urbanization and health, with the theme: “1000 cities – 1000 lives”. In Johannesburg, a campaign will be organized by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand and the City of Johannesburg in an effort to place focus on the prevalence of rodents in urban settings.

The campaign is in response to results from the Health Environment and Development (HEAD) study which revealed that rodent infestation posed a health risk in Bertrams, Hospital Hill, Riverlea and Braamfischerville. According to the MRC, rodent infestation is linked to socio-economic conditions, housing quality, human behaviour and domestic services in these areas.

The campaign in Bertrams aims to educate the community about the diseases associated with rodents as well to encourage people to use environmentally friendly preventative measures in avoiding rodent infestation.

Thus far, 480 cities across the world have joined the global campaign to make cities healthier.

[END]

For further information:

Keletso Ratsela
South African Medical Research Council (MRC)
Science Communications
Corporate and Public Affairs Directorate - Pretoria (SA)
Tel: +27 11 274 6060
Mobile: +27 82 804 8883

Professor Angela Mathee
Director: Environment & Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council
email: amathee@mrc.ac.za
Office: +27 11 274 6078
Fax: +27 11 642 6832
Mobile: +27 82 464 7038