Jamaica Reports Deadly Leptospirosis Outbreak After Hurricane Melissa
Nine confirmed leptospirosis cases and 28 suspected followed flooding from Hurricane Melissa, with six suspected deaths linked to contaminated water, health officials said.
- On Friday, Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced Jamaica declared a leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa, reporting nine confirmed cases between October 30 and November 20 and six suspected deaths.
- Last month, Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28 with about 30 inches of rain, causing catastrophic flooding and stagnant, contaminated water that bred leptospirosis on the Caribbean island.
- Health officials note that leptospirosis spreads through contaminated water or soil tainted by urine from rodents and other infected animals, entering through cuts or mucous membranes after people contact floodwaters.
- The disease can cause severe internal bleeding and organ damage, as people with early symptoms face clinical progression from flu-like signs to kidney failure, liver damage, meningitis and severe internal bleeding.
- The storm left an estimated $10 billion in damages, damaging nearly 200,000 buildings and hobbling Jamaica's tourism and agriculture sectors, while officials warned farmers, cleanup workers and emergency responders face risks from floodwaters.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Jamaica Reports Deadly Disease Outbreak After Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.The Category 5 hurricane slammed into the Caribbean island on October 28, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides with some 30 inches (76 cm) of rain. The resulting stagnant, contaminated water has created a breeding ground for the disease, officials said.Health Minister Ch
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