Leptospirosis related deaths increase to 11

 

The number of leptospirosis related deaths in Jamaica has increased to 11 since an outbreak of the bacterial illness was declared last week. 

 

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says three of the deaths are from confirmed cases. 

 

Dr. Tufton, who provided an update at Wednesday morning's special media briefing post-Hurricane Melissa, said the number of confirmed, suspected and probable cases of leptospirosis has also increased as at November 22.

 

"We stand as of the 22nd of November on record 91 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of the disease, with 10 PCR confirmed cases - that is the testing which is the gold standard of testing for this kind of illness; eleven deaths, three of which are confirmed leptospirosis deaths," he disclosed.

 

Dr. Tufton said the epidemiology team expects that the cases of leptospirosis will decrease based on the early coordinated approach that has been taken to limit the scale of the outbreak.

 

"The indication from the team...collecting the data from our centennial sites across the country, is that the increase in suspected or confirmed cases is taking place at a decreasing rate. Now, what's the ray of hope in that is that we are expecting therefore that it will taper off, and then hopefully decline to what would be more in keeping with the average rates in the country. Now, it's still early days and I don't want to go out on a limb and predict, it's not my job so to do, but I believe that the work on the ground is bearing fruits," said the minister.