Leptospirosis cases continue to increase across Jamaica

 

The Ministry of Health says it is conducting tests on samples of dozens of suspected cases of leptospirosis following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. 

 

Principal Medical Officer and National Epidemiologist in the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Karen Webster Kerr, says the country continues to experience an increase in the bacterial disease.

 

"As of yesterday, we would have seen 91 cases post-Melissa - of which 30 are confirmed - and 12 deaths, of which seven are confirmed. With respect to when we were seeing these cases, Hurricane Melissa was in week 44 and we are now in week 50. In week 46, we would have seen the highest number or the greatest number of cases," she outlined. 

 

Dr. Webster Kerr noted that men are at greater risk of contracting leptospirosis with about 84 per cent of cases overall and 100 per cent of deaths being men. 

 

Persons 20 to 29 are particularly at risk for contracting the disease and persons over 60 more likely to die.

 

She said the disease has been detected in every parish, peaking in week 46. 

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Webster Kerr disclosed that the country is not experiencing a spike in cases of dengue or COVID-19 based on tests conducted by the health ministry.

 

"With respected dengue, it continues to be at low activity. So we are not even seeing the seasonal level of dengue at this time. But the risk still remains as the dengue season usually continues to the early part of the year. With respect to respiratory infections, acute respiratory infections are within normal. And while some indicators show that we may be in season of influenza, if we look at the chart with the cases with the number of positive, influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses are what are circulating. At this time, we are not really seeing much COVID-19. With respect to gastroenteritis, we are within normal for week 49. That's last week," she outlined. 

 

Dr. Webster Kerr are speaking at a press briefing of the ministry on Thursday.