KINGSTON, Nov 21 – Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, which is suspected to be responsible for six deaths following the devastating Hurricane Melissa in late October.
The Category 5 hurricane hit the Caribbean island on October 28, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides with about 30 inches (76 cm) of rain. The resulting stagnant, contaminated water created a breeding ground for the disease, officials said.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced on Friday that there were nine confirmed cases and another 28 suspected cases between October 30 and November 20.
Leptospirosis is spread by water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, such as rodents. The infection can enter the human body through cuts in the skin or through the eyes, nose and mouth.
While initial symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches can be mistaken for the flu, the disease can progress to a severe and potentially fatal form. It can cause kidney failure, liver damage, meningitis and severe internal bleeding.
“The outbreak follows the passage of a storm that created conditions that increased the risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil,” Tufton said at a news conference.
He warned that anyone who comes into contact with flood water could be at risk, including “farmers, people involved in clean-up activities, emergency services and other people who move around in flood areas.”
Hurricane Melissa left an estimated $10 billion in damage, according to Jamaican officials, threatening the country’s key tourism and agricultural sectors and damaging nearly 200,000 buildings. (Reporting by Zahra Burton; Writing by Iñigo Alexander; Editing by Kylie Madry and Bill Berkrot)
