Published Date: 2007-10-16 19:00:08
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis - Jamaica
Archive Number: 20071016.3383
LEPTOSPIROSIS - JAMAICA
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Date: Fri 12 Oct 2007
Source: Jamaica Gleaner [edited]
<http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20071012/lead/lead1.html>
A health crisis is looming over the island as the Ministry of Health
and Environment has confirmed 100 cases of leptospirosis.
Hurricane Dean [occurred] in August [2007], and the heavy rains
currently [are] lashing the island.
Rudyard Spencer, the Minister of Health and Environment, urged
persons to use rat [baits] to prevent any further spread of the
disease. "In order to contain it (leptospirosis) we have launched a
very serious attack on rats because we can (not) afford for our
children especially to be exposed to the kinds of rats," he said.
[The disease (leptospirosis) is spread by eating foods or handling
water contaminated by urine of infected animal; tending infected
animals (dogs, cows, goats, pigs); bathing or wading in stagnant
water frequented by animals, especially after flood rains.]
[Byline: Petrina Francis]
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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
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[Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by the spirochete _Leptospira_.
It is usually transmitted to humans from asymptomatic carrier animals
(for example rodents and domesticated animals, such as dogs, pigs,
and cattle) that intermittently or continuously excrete the organisms
in their urine. Exposure occurs usually by contact of broken skin or
mucous membranes with water or muddy soil contaminated by urine from
these chronically infected animals. Person-to-person spread is not
known to occur.
Leptospirosis is endemic in Jamaica, and outbreaks follow flooding
after heavy rains in autumn
(<http://bases.bireme.br/cgi-bin/wxislind.exe/iah/online/?IsisScript=iah/iah.xis&src=google&base=MedCarib&lang=p&nextAction=lnk&exprSearch=7486&indexSearch=ID>).
In fact, leptospirosis has been documented serologically in domestic
animals (pigs, cows and goats) and _Leptospira_ have been isolated
from soil and water samples in Jamaica
(<http://bases.bireme.br/cgi-bin/wxislind.exe/iah/online/?IsisScript=iah/iah.xis&src=google&base=MedCarib&lang=p&nextAction=lnk&exprSearch=13799&indexSearch=ID>).
Because the clinical manifestations of leptospirosis are
non-specific, the definitive diagnosis requires confirmation by
serology or culture. Indeed, a previous news release from Jamaica
emphasized that "many persons were showing up with symptoms that
mimicked leptospirosis but were not necessarily afflicted with the
disease." Other diseases that can mimic leptospirosis include dengue
and hepatitis A, which are also endemic in Jamaica
(<http://www.jis.gov.jm/health/html/20051129T090000-0500_7478_JIS_HEALTH_MINISTRY_REVIEWING_DATA_ON_CASES_OF_LEPTOSPIROSIS.asp>).
For a more detailed discussion of leptospirosis please see
ProMED-mail 20070821.2725.
For a map of Jamaica, please see
<http://www.jamaicancaves.org/jamaica-road-map.htm>. - Mod.ML]
See Also
Leptospirosis - China (Hong Kong) 20070821.27252006
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Leptospirosis, fishermen - UK ex France (Picardie) 20061029.3101
Leptospirosis - Thailand (Nan) 20060912.2579
Leptospirosis - India (Gujarat): not hantavirus 20060831.2476
Leptospirosis - India (Maharashtra) 20060726.2058
Leptospirosis - India (Kerala) 20060609.1612
Leptospirosis - Tajikistan 20060423.1185
Leptospirosis - Guyana (coastal): susp. 20060131.0313
Leptospirosis - Dominican Republic 20060110.0085
2005
----
Leptospirosis, fatal - Venezuela (Carabobo): susp. 20050303.0655
2004
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Leptospirosis, human, canine - USA (TX) (03) 20040911.2527
Leptospirosis, human, canine - USA (TX) 20040904.2472
Leptospirosis, fatal - USA (AS) 20040820.2307
Leptospirosis, fatal - Argentina (Entre Rios) (03) 20040810.2204
Leptospirosis, fatal - Argentina (Entre Rios) (02) 20040807.2166
Leptospirosis, fatal - Argentina (Entre Rios) 20040805.2141
Leptospirosis, fatal - Trinidad & Tobago 20040419.1085
Leptospirosis, fatal - USA: background 20040413.1007
Leptospirosis, fatal - USA (HI) 20040411.0987
2003
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Leptospirosis - Sri Lanka 20031024.2663
Leptospirosis - India (Gujurat) 20030915.2332
Leptospirosis - Russia (Stavropol) 20030801.1887
Leptospirosis - India (Kerala) 20030626.1574
Leptospirosis - Ecuador (Manabi) 20030214.0385
2002
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Leptospirosis, flood-related - Austria (02) 20020920.5366
Leptospirosis, flood-related - Austria 20020919.5358
Leptospirosis - India (Kerala) 20020918.5344
2001
----
Leptospirosis - Germany ex Thailand 20011215.3030
Leptospirosis - Portugal (Azores) 20010414.0741
Leptospirosis, Eco-Challenge race - Borneo: 2000 20010119.0153
2000
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Leptospirosis - Thailand 20000908.1535
...................................ml/mj/lm
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