Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed that four of eight persons in St. Mary recently suspected of having leptospirosis have tested positive for the disease.

However, Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller, director of family health services in the ministry, claimed yesterday that there was no reason for concern as the cases remained within the endemic level and were therefore not out of the ordinary.

"It is not an outbreak. There is a little cluster there because of the flooding, but that happened when animal secretions get (in contact with human beings)," Dr. Lewis Fuller told The Gleaner.

But although Dr. Lewis-Fuller said there was no need for panic, Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Ken Baugh believes otherwise.

"I am concerned and this is a signal for immediate action to ensure that this is addressed immediately," said Dr. Baugh.

"It (leptospirosis) is something that exists, it is endemic and the Ministry of Health was warned that the conditions were there (breeding of rodents, flooding, lack of drainage, among other things)," Dr. Baugh told The Gleaner yesterday.

Communities flooded

In November, heavy rains lashed St. Mary, resulting in the flooding of several communities.

Dr. Lewis-Fuller said flooding in communities should be avoided and urged agencies such as the National Solid Waste Management Authority and parish councils to play their part in averting flooding across the island.

The director of family health services said these measures would curtail an outbreak of the disease.

The Gleaner reported last week that there were eight suspected cases of leptospirosis in St. Mary which resulted in the persons being hospitalised. Most of the patients were involved in the fishing industry. Seven of the eight individuals were released from hospital last week.

Leptospirosis is a contagious disease that is primarily transmitted by rats, but affects humans and other animals. Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, such as the eye or nose, or through broken skin.