MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton on Friday declared an outbreak of leptospirosis in sections of the island, a direct result of the conditions left behind by Hurricane Melissa last month.

But local health officials were quick to urge people, particularly in the hardest-hit parishes, to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease rather than panic.

Leptospira, the bacteria which causes leptospirosis, is transmitted through the urine of infected animals like rats, cattle, pigs, and dogs. People get infected by coming into contact with contaminated water, soil or food — often through open cuts or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth — which leads to leptospirosis.

At a media briefing on Friday, Tufton said six people have died of the disease since the Category 5 hurricane struck the island with devastating impact, mainly in the south-western section, on October 28, leaving behind flooded homes and communities, conditions that are ideal for the spread of the bacterial disease.

“Today’s press conference is to announce that Jamaica is now experiencing an outbreak of leptospirosis with an increase in the number of confirmed and suspected or probable cases reported across multiple parishes over the last two weeks,” said Tufton.

“The outbreak follows the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which has created conditions that have increased the risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil,” Tufton added.

He noted that leptospirosis poses a significant public health risk following heavy rainfall, flooding or any major disaster, and pointed out that, “the bacteria that causes the disease thrives in water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, in particular rats, but also cats, dogs, and livestock”.

In the meantime, national epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dr Karen Webster Kerr said the ministry’s National Surveillance Unit has recorded 87 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of leptospirosis since 2024.

Dr Webster Kerr explained that the 37 cases referenced by Tufton were post-Melissa, from October 30. This is in keeping with the shortest incubation period of leptospirosis, which is two days.

Of these 37 cases, 10 have been confirmed, nine of which are post-Melissa. Webster Kerr told the media briefing that there have been eight suspected leptospirosis-related deaths this year, with six of the eight occurring since the hurricane struck.

Webster Kerr also pointed out that there was an increase in cases of leptospirosis after Hurricane Beryl brushed Jamaica in July 2024, and an even larger increase is being observed in the aftermath of Melissa.

She said that from 2023 up to October 2025, the range per month for leptospirosis was between two and 21.

“In November this year we’re already at 35,” said Webster Kerr.

A breakdown of the 37 cases post-Melissa shows the highest concentration in St James with 17. Four cases and two deaths have been confirmed there. St Ann comes next with six cases with two being confirmed; St Elizabeth has four cases with one death; Hanover has recorded three cases, one of which has been confirmed along with two deaths.

Trelawny also has three cases, while Westmoreland has two with one confirmed along with one death, while St Mary and St Catherine have each recorded a single case; the St Catherine case has been confirmed.

Webster Kerr said St James was recording the highest rate of spread, in particular the capital city Montego Bay.

She stressed that leptospirosis is a treatable disease caused a bacteria and noted that it is often a mild illness that is potentially serious. It mimics many other infectious diseases such as influenza, meningitis, hepatitis, and dengue.

The epidemiologist pointed out that person-to-person transmission of the disease is extremely rare.

In terms of its lifespan, Webster Kerr explained that the bacteria can live in fresh water for almost 600 days; up to 183 days in wet and damp soil; but just 30 minutes in dry soil.

She also highlighted that those most affected by leptospirosis before Melissa struck were in their 60s and some younger individuals.

“Post-Melissa we have persons in their 20s moreso, [but] by-and-large it’s mostly male. Of the 37 [confirmed, suspected and probable cases] 35 were males,” Webster Kerr shared. She said all eight deaths recorded in Jamaica this year were among men.

For her part, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie explained that, before the hurricane, people such as farmers would be most exposed to contracting leptospirosis. However, she said the contaminated flood waters left behind by Melissa make the likelihood of the disease becoming more widespread more likely.

“Now everybody has the likelihood of being exposed because everybody is cleaning up and a lot of persons are in those waters,” said Bisasor-McKenzie.

“If you have a history of exposure to flood waters and there’s a history of exposure to contaminated water or soil. If you have bruises or cuts or you ingest contaminated foods, then there is a good likelihood that you could… get infected with leptospirosis,” Bisasor-McKenzie added.

The CMO also highlighted that the majority of cases are mild, flu-like illnesses, but warned, “you can have more severe presentations, it can involve the liver and the kidney; it can also involve the brain and the lungs, [specifically] bleeding in the lungs, [which] can lead to respiratory failure”.

She said the majority of persons will present with mild flu-like illness, fevers, headache, muscle pain, redness of eyes, stomach pain and diarrhoea. A skin rash may also develop and an abnormal heart rhythm which could lead to heart failure.

Bisasor-McKenzie warned that people exhibiting severe symptoms should be seen by a doctor. These symptoms include jaundice or yellowing of the eyes; urine that is dark, orange or absent; bleeding at anytime; and abnormal heart rhythm or shortness of breath.

She also warned that if the illness proceeds to affect the kidneys, dialysis may be needed, and ventilation and other supportive care for people who end up with respiratory issues.

The CMO said mild symptoms can be treated with paracetamol to relieve pain as well as antibiotics which are useful during the early onset of symptoms.

In the meantime, Bisasor-McKenzie encouraged Jamaicans to continue to donate blood since critically ill people may actually need the life-saving fluid.

People participating in clean-up activities, particularly in areas which are still flooded, are urged to wearing protective gear, including water boots and gloves.