ROSEAU, Dominica – The Dominica government today repeated warnings of an outbreak of leptospirosis after two men, including the Director of Agriculture, Richard Allport, died from the disease this week.
Allport died Monday suffering from symptoms associated with the disease which is most often transmitted through contact with rat urine.
“The Ministry of Health in Dominica wishes to inform the general public that the outbreak of Leptospirosis announced by the Ministry last year has not yet subsided,” the statement said.
“While most of the cases have recovered completely there were two confirmed deaths from Leptospirosis. This is of much concern to the Ministry. Although a variety of mammals worldwide harbor the infection, in Dominica the most common carriers of leptospirosis are rats, dogs and livestock,” the statement added.
It said that persons suffering from Leptospirosis usually have fever chills, eye redness, headache and muscle ache.
The Ministry of Health urged clinicians to consider the diagnosis of leptospirosis in patients who complain of flu-like symptoms and have been exposed to the urine of rats or other animals warning that persons traditionally at highest risk were farmers, veterinarians, sanitation and sewer workers.
“The Rodent Reduction Programme in Dominica is ongoing. Environmental Health Officials have commenced the Rodent Reduction Program in some Health Districts and the program will be extended to the other health districts in the near future.
“The Ministry of Health is continuing the implementation of an action plan developed to respond effectively to the situation,” the statement added. (CMC)
