KINGSTON, Jamaica — There has been a reduction in suspected or confirmed cases of leptospirosis and related deaths, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Christopher Tufton.

Describing the development as “encouraging for the country”, the minister said the ministry’s teams are in the fields, along with other agencies involved in clean-up activities, “doing the work, and I think this is paying off”.

“It is, however, not a reason to be complacent. Remember, leptospirosis is preventable, treatable, and survivable, and if detected early, action must be taken. The advisory continues to be to wear protective gear during clean-up, avoid floodwaters, secure food and water supplies, and keep the environment clean,” Tufton said, while addressing a virtual press briefing on December 11.

Noting that dengue and influenza viruses remain below the threshold and below the normal numbers for this year, the minister said a link must be made between the Government’s early response, and the “benefits that we are now realising”.

“When we had the dengue outbreak, the Government invested heavily in vehicles, in foggers, in personnel, more than doubling the number of personnel in the field as it relates to vector management, and I believe that we are seeing the benefits of that in terms of more hands on the ground, more equipment, and the public education programme,” he continued.

The bacteria that cause the leptospirosis thrive in water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, especially rats, as well as cats and livestock. It is recommended that persons who come in contact with contaminated water, soil or mud, and contract the illness, should seek medical help.

The minister reported that more than 75 per cent or 524 high-risk communities have been visited and treated islandwide.

The focus for December through January, Tufton said, is to intensify interventions with the goal of reducing the danger index in all high-risk communities to below 25, minimising the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission.

For water safety, he said the ministry has distributed approximately 2.6 million chlorine tablets to the regional health authorities, and they are actively distributing the same in the most affected areas.

“Already, the western region has distributed more than 400,000 to several affected communities, and we encourage the population to continue to take the necessary precaution as it relates to water,” the minister said.

–       JIS