- IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A woman tries to leave her unfinished house in New River, St. Elizabeth which was threatened by flood waters caused by heavy rains on Tuesday.
Claude Mills, Rural News Coordinator
THERE HAS been a sharp increase in the number of suspected leptospirosis deaths and infections this year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
There have been eight suspected deaths islandwide. The term 'suspected' means the person had symptoms which are suggestive of leptospirosis but lab confirmation has not yet been obtained.
Other diseases such as hepatitis may manifest symptoms similar to leptospirosis.
But suspected cases or not, the alarm bells regarding leptospirosis, especially as the island braces for more days of prolonged rainfall, are hard to ignore for residents of rural communities.
"One hundred and fifty three cases were reported for January to December 2004, with an increase in reports after Hurricane Ivan," said Dr. Erica Reynolds Hedmann, medical officer of health in the Surveillance Unit of the MOH.
She added, however, that "while there was an increase in cases when compared to the same period in 2004, there was an increase in leptospirosis, and this may be contributing to the increase reporting, this year."
The parishes of Manchester, St. James, St. Catherine and Clarendon reported the most cases.
"At the end of last year, there were 153 reported cases. This year, we already have over 180," she said. "We have eight suspected deaths from the disease, and that is certainly more than last year."
During a recent parish council meeting in St. Catherine, Daphne Ritchie, a councillor from the Ewarton division, said two persons had died, one in Cotton Piece, and the other in the Ewarton area. Councillor Jerval Weir, of the Church Pen division, informed Roy Crooks, acting chief public health inspector, that there had been three suspected cases of leptospirosis, two of which had resulted in death.
Meanwhile, at another parish council meeting in St. Mary, Councillor Fitzmourice Gray of Port Maria said a man had died in the Frontier district in Port Maria.
Dr. Hedmann confirmed just one of these reported cases.
"There were suspected deaths, which means that these persons who died have not been confirmed as leptospirosis cases, but only one has been confirmed," Dr. Headman said.
In the meantime, the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) has warned of a possible outbreak of leptospirosis after the period of prolonged rainfall, especially in dogs and other animals.
RAIN IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE INCREASE
"The rain is what is causing the increase," said senior veterinary surgeon, Dr. Paul Turner of the JSPCA. "After the rain, there is an increase in cases of leptospirosis because the urine from the rats washes down into running water supplies, and when animals drink the water, they contract the disease."
He said he received a suspected case with a dog on Thursday and another, yesterday.
"I put one dog to sleep because it was advanced, but the other case is mild," he added.
Dr. Turner said the public must be careful,
especially after the rains.
With additional reporting from Lisia Lynch and Rasbert Turner
Leptospirosis can occur in humans and animals including dogs, goats and rodents.
Humans with Leptospirosis have symptoms such as:
Sudden onset of high fever Nausea and vomiting Redness of the eyes and inability to look at lights Jaundice - yellowing of the eyes and palms or foot bottom If you have or observe these symptoms in a family member, visit your doctor, health centre or clinic.
Animals have symptoms such as:
Abortions Fever Inflammation of the eyes Jaundice If your animals have these symptoms, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
