Alarming rise in suspected cases of leptospirosis
Posted by: curious (IP Logged)
Date: December 03, 2005 03:34AM
The Ministry of Health has already recorded 448 suspected cases of leptospirosis since the start of this year.
This represents an almost 200 percent increase on the 153 suspected cases recorded for all of last year.
The Health Ministry is expecting to receive lab test results to confirm the instances of leptospirosis within two weeks.
By that time the Ministry should also confirm the number of persons to have died from the disease.
However the Health Ministry notes that some of the suspected cases have already proven to be hepatitis "A", dengue and respiratory tract infections.
Medical officials say they expect about 50-percent of the cases to be confirmed as leptospirosis.
St. Catherine, Manchester and Clarendon are the three parishes which have reported the most suspected cases.
November has so far been the worst month of the year with 232 suspected cases recorded in the first 19 days.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which affects humans and animals.
Persons contract the disease by coming in contact with water, damp soil, or vegetation contaminated by the urine of infected animals.
The bacteria can enter the body through broken skin and mucous membranes or when a person swallows contaminated food or water.
Most infected persons have a mild to moderate illness that is like many other tropical diseases.
The symptoms include fever, headache, chills, nausea and vomiting, eye inflammation, and muscle aches.
In more severe cases, the illness can result in liver damage, jaundice kidney failure, and internal bleeding leading to death.
Meanwhile Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, says improper garbage disposal is the main cause of the alarming increase in the number of suspected cases of leptospirosis.
Speaking at the official opening of the St. Joseph's Hospital Wellness and Fitness Centre Wednesday morning, Mayor McKenzie urged Jamaicans to keep their surroundings clean.
Mayor McKenzie said the country was already choked by a number of problems and did not need to add to these by improper disposal of garbage.
In the meantime JLP Spokesman on Health Dr. Ken Baugh is again raising concern about the seeming absence of measures to prevent an out break of avian or bird flu, in Jamaica.
The Health Ministry says its preparing a plan to deal with the possibility but Dr. Baugh says he remains worried about the time its taking to implement measures such as a public education programme.
Dr. Baugh says experts believe the avian flu virus could spark a global pandemic and kill millions of people worldwide if it into a develops form that can be easily spread between humans.
He says with the traditional outbreak of regular flu in Jamaica at this time of the year the problems associated with bird flu are compounded.
More than 100 persons world wide have already died after contracting the human strain of bird flu.
The battle is not yours to fight, Its the Lord's. Endure trials so you can claim peace and joy after your ordeal. Remember, don't fight, let God fight for you.
This represents an almost 200 percent increase on the 153 suspected cases recorded for all of last year.
The Health Ministry is expecting to receive lab test results to confirm the instances of leptospirosis within two weeks.
By that time the Ministry should also confirm the number of persons to have died from the disease.
However the Health Ministry notes that some of the suspected cases have already proven to be hepatitis "A", dengue and respiratory tract infections.
Medical officials say they expect about 50-percent of the cases to be confirmed as leptospirosis.
St. Catherine, Manchester and Clarendon are the three parishes which have reported the most suspected cases.
November has so far been the worst month of the year with 232 suspected cases recorded in the first 19 days.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which affects humans and animals.
Persons contract the disease by coming in contact with water, damp soil, or vegetation contaminated by the urine of infected animals.
The bacteria can enter the body through broken skin and mucous membranes or when a person swallows contaminated food or water.
Most infected persons have a mild to moderate illness that is like many other tropical diseases.
The symptoms include fever, headache, chills, nausea and vomiting, eye inflammation, and muscle aches.
In more severe cases, the illness can result in liver damage, jaundice kidney failure, and internal bleeding leading to death.
Meanwhile Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, says improper garbage disposal is the main cause of the alarming increase in the number of suspected cases of leptospirosis.
Speaking at the official opening of the St. Joseph's Hospital Wellness and Fitness Centre Wednesday morning, Mayor McKenzie urged Jamaicans to keep their surroundings clean.
Mayor McKenzie said the country was already choked by a number of problems and did not need to add to these by improper disposal of garbage.
In the meantime JLP Spokesman on Health Dr. Ken Baugh is again raising concern about the seeming absence of measures to prevent an out break of avian or bird flu, in Jamaica.
The Health Ministry says its preparing a plan to deal with the possibility but Dr. Baugh says he remains worried about the time its taking to implement measures such as a public education programme.
Dr. Baugh says experts believe the avian flu virus could spark a global pandemic and kill millions of people worldwide if it into a develops form that can be easily spread between humans.
He says with the traditional outbreak of regular flu in Jamaica at this time of the year the problems associated with bird flu are compounded.
More than 100 persons world wide have already died after contracting the human strain of bird flu.
The battle is not yours to fight, Its the Lord's. Endure trials so you can claim peace and joy after your ordeal. Remember, don't fight, let God fight for you.
Re: Alarming rise in suspected cases of leptospirosis
Posted by: curious (IP Logged)
Date: December 03, 2005 03:35AM
Health Ministry says leptospirosis outbreak under control
The Ministry of Health says it has the outbreak of leptospirosis under control and expects that there will soon be a decline in new cases of the disease.
Minister of Health John Junor gave the assurance Wednesday night, hours after data released by his Ministry showed an alarming increase in suspected cases of leptospirosis.
According to a report from the Ministry more than 400 suspected cases of the disease have been reported since the start of the year-- a 200 percent increase over the figure reported for all of last year.
But the Health Minister says more persons are now aware of the outbreak and have taken steps to prevent a further spread.
Mr. Junor said there are signs of a slow-down in the number of confirmed cases of leptosirosis in Jamaica.
In another two weeks, the Health Ministry is expected to receive lab test results to confirm the instances of
The battle is not yours to fight, Its the Lord's. Endure trials so you can claim peace and joy after your ordeal. Remember, don't fight, let God fight for you.
The Ministry of Health says it has the outbreak of leptospirosis under control and expects that there will soon be a decline in new cases of the disease.
Minister of Health John Junor gave the assurance Wednesday night, hours after data released by his Ministry showed an alarming increase in suspected cases of leptospirosis.
According to a report from the Ministry more than 400 suspected cases of the disease have been reported since the start of the year-- a 200 percent increase over the figure reported for all of last year.
But the Health Minister says more persons are now aware of the outbreak and have taken steps to prevent a further spread.
Mr. Junor said there are signs of a slow-down in the number of confirmed cases of leptosirosis in Jamaica.
In another two weeks, the Health Ministry is expected to receive lab test results to confirm the instances of
The battle is not yours to fight, Its the Lord's. Endure trials so you can claim peace and joy after your ordeal. Remember, don't fight, let God fight for you.
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