Roseau, Dominica (TDN) -- Health officials in Dominica have warned of a new outbreak of leptospirosis on the island. They have confirmed five new cases of the disease and are encouraging residents to take action to avert its spread.
The latest outbreak comes just one year after a similar outbreak was brought under control. However, it was not before more than fifty persons contracted the disease and there were seven confirmed deaths.
Among those who succumbed to the disease at the time was a leading official of the agriculture ministry Ricky Allport.
Health officials have blamed the high incidence of rodents all over the island as the most likely reason for the spread.
Just as during the last outbreak, it also dovetailed with increased reports of dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes.
The disease can cause severe fever, headache, muscle aches, abdominal pains, and vomiting. The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, the eyes, or with the mucous membranes.
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