Leptospirosis outbreak declared in Jamaica

 

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has declared a leptospirosis outbreak in Jamaica, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa more than three weeks ago. 

 

This comes after a significant increase in confirmed, suspected and probable cases of the bacterial disease over the last week. 

 

The disease is commonly associated with exposure to floodwaters and soil that has been contaminated by the urine of infected animals.

 

Giving a breakdown on the leptospirosis cases at a media briefing on Friday, Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said there are nine confirmed cases of the disease and 28 suspected or probable cases from October 30 to November 20. 

 

He said six deaths have been confirmed.

 

"The numbers reflect significantly more cases than the two to 21 cases observed in the preceding 34 months," he noted. 

 

The persons exhibiting symptoms of the disease are from eight parishes. These are St. Ann, St. Mary, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine, and Trelawny. 

 

Dr. Tufton said the declaration of an outbreak will enable the country to activate a faster, more coordinated public health response.

 

"An official declaration signals to the health system that immediate action is needed to identify cases to contain the spread and to prevent severe illness or death. In fact, there's a requirement once you have an outlier event in terms of the numbers to actually declare. It also unlocks resources such as surge staffing, diagnostic supplies, and emergency funding and strengthens national surveillance so that cases can be detected, treated and monitored more efficiently. So this early coordinated approach helps to limit the scale of the outbreak and reduces pressure on the health system," he explained. 

 

According to the Health Minister, a multi-agency response plan to the leptospirosis outbreak has been activated involving local and international partners. 

 

He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has been asked to target upcoming major cleanup operations

and the eight parishes where cases of the disease have been confirmed or are suspected. 

 

Dr. Tufton added that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will also be distributing cleaning agents and protective gear, including latex gloves and water boots and communities where cleanup activities are ongoing. 

 

"Private sector colleagues, private sector team on the response to Melissa is led by Senator Keith Duncan, who is leading that space, and there have been agreements as it relates to increasing water supplies to some of our health facilities that are having challenges and also in terms of PPEs and other critical needs. NWC, portable drinking water, I have had a discussion with Minister Matthew Samuda and he and his team are being activated. He's not in Jamaica now, but he's remotely working to ensure that both communities that are impacted as well as the health institutions are given reliable water," he said. 

 

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), will also be procuring personal protective equipment for distribution.