KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaican government Thursday sought to reassure the public and potential visitors to the island that there is no need to panic amid concerns of a leptospirosis outbreak.
“Our discussion or narrative around this issue is intended to provide the necessary advice to protect Jamaicans and to heighten the levels of alertness. We are mindful that this can be understood as panic, and we would like to discourage that. Sometimes, the headlines do project the need to panic. This is not what our intentions are,” Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, told a news conference.
Since the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, Jamaica has recorded 14 leptospirosis-related deaths, six of which have been confirmed.
“We are working very closely with the tourism sector. We have discerned no great risk in terms of the facilities that cater to tourists, whether it is the hotels, which themselves are doing some rehabilitation as we speak because of the impact of the hurricane,” Tufton said, adding that the ministry is working closely with the tourism sector and has discerned no significant risk of the outbreak to tourists.
He said the ministry is also working with other stakeholders, including certified attractions that cater to tours and visitors.
“We work closely with those entities, too. There is a certification process that is required in conjunction with health. We are not giving an advisory to discourage tourism and visitors. We are just placing all on alert and are particularly focused on the vulnerable communities.
“Those communities, of course, we have identified and where we are collaborating based on our operations, National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and others, as part of the clean-up of solid waste and of course treating with water to avoid the risk of water-borne diseases, including leptospirosis,” Tufton added.
Leptospirosis symptoms often start with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and red eyes. Some people may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. In more severe cases, the illness can progress to a second phase with serious complications like kidney failure, liver failure, jaundice, and meningitis, and can be fatal.
Meanwhile, Tufton said assessments of water supply systems in areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa have found that the majority of facilities are providing safe water for residents.
He said that 6,500 chlorine residual assessments have been conducted at water systems belonging to the National Water Commission and municipal corporations and that the results show that 65 per cent indicate satisfactory levels of chlorination.
Tufton said that, as part of the response efforts, 371 chlorine tablets for water purification have been distributed across health regions, and that Jamaica has received overseas assistance in the form of a humanitarian vessel equipped with a water treatment plant and lab capabilities.
He acknowledged that water-borne diseases are an issue following the hurricane. Tufton said local public health inspectors are in communities providing information on safe water chlorination.
Tufton said that in addition to water quality testing, the health ministry has also been undertaking assessments of wastewater and sewage systems as part of the drive to protect public health.
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