THERE HAS been a sharp increase in the number of suspected leptospirosis deaths and infections this year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

There have been eight suspected deaths islandwide. The term 'suspected' means the person had symptoms which are suggestive of leptospirosis but lab confirmation has not yet been obtained.

Other diseases such as hepatitis may manifest symptoms similar to leptospirosis.

But suspected cases or not, the alarm bells regarding leptospirosis, especially as the island braces for more days of prolonged rainfall, are hard to ignore for residents of rural communities.

"One hundred and fifty three cases were reported for January to December 2004, with an increase in reports after Hurricane Ivan," said Dr. Erica Reynolds Hedmann, medical officer of health in the Surveillance Unit of the MOH.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ews/news1.html

__________________
Jah know seh a so di ting set up...