Jamaica is seeing an outbreak of leptospirosis and is urging anyone who is experiencing symptoms from the infectious disease to seek immediate medical care.
A serious public health risk associated with heavy rainfalls, the disease is caused by the Leptospira bacteria found in water contaminated by the urine of infected animals like rats, cats, dogs and livestock.
The signs of leptospirosis include flu-like symptoms with high fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. Infected persons can experience kidney or liver failure or internal bleeding.
“It can affect anyone who comes in contact with contaminated soil or mud. That includes farmers, persons engaged in clean-up activities, emergency responders and others navigating flood areas,” Health Minister Christopher Tufton said.
Tufton confirmed the outbreak on Friday.
Health officials said there was in increase in confirmed and suspected cases across eight parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the island on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 hurricane. Preliminary assessments show that the country has suffered nearly $9 billion in damages.
Tufton said there have been 28 probable cases of the infectious disease reported between Oct. 30 and Nov. 20.
“The numbers reflect significantly more cases… than observed in the proceeding 34 months,” he said. “There have been six deaths from the suspected cases.”
On Monday, the United Nations Development Program announced that it is providing an initial $2 million in grants to help stabilize affected communities, including restoring livelihoods of vulnerable groups and supporting national authorities and key sectors. An additional $8 million is also under consideration.
More than 90 organizations are currently involved in Jamaica’s post-hurricane response, the U.N. said last week.
“Response operations have been stepped up as access improves. Emergency medical teams and mobile clinics have now been deployed, allowing critical services to resume despite damaged infrastructure.
Public health teams are also scaling up water-quality testing and environmental health inspections,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
More than 45,000 food kits have been distributed, while the World Food Program is working with the government to prepare a transition to cash-based assistance.
Meanwhile, more than 100 emergency shelters remain open, but the effort is not without challenges.
“Flooding is persisting, which is delaying the reopening of schools and further damaging agricultural roads and infrastructure,” Dujarric said. “The floods are also increasing risks to public health due to the risk of water-borne diseases,”
(Miami Herald)
