The Ministry of Health (MOH) is making it clear that currently, there is no outbreak of leptospirosis in Dominica.
This, after a US-based media website, edited by a Dominican, reported that the island is experiencing a “new outbreak” of the disease and further reported, “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”.
The MOH has described the statement as “incorrect and misleading.”
“It is regrettable that such inaccurate information was published without confirmation from the relevant authorities,” the MOH said in a release. “Officials from the Ministry of Health are always available to provide accurate information to the general public.”
The MOH is now calling on the website administrator “to retract this statement as it has implications on the tourism industry, hence the future economic development of the country.”
“The Ministry of Health will continue to maintain strict surveillance to ensure that measures are in place to deal with the situation as necessary and encourage persons to be very vigilant in preventing the increase of leptospirosis on the island,” the release said.
According to the MOH at present, there are five confirmed cases of leptospirosis in Dominica. “This number indicates a marked reduction in the number of cases in 2012 compared to 2011. There has been NO reported death from leptospirosis,” the MOH said.
Leptospirosis is a serious preventable bacterial disease most often transmitted to humans who are exposed to infected rat urine.
Poor Rat! So They telling lies on the Rat? poor thing. Looks are certainly deceiving eh.rats not even biting people foot again.
as long as it have red rats in dominica it not under controll
There is a lot of incorrect information that gets published.
OMG! that mouse again!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE AT DNO EH?
I TOLD YOU ALL TO PUT A PICTURE OF MY NEIGHBOUR THERE INSTEAD…
I hope u have proof of what u saying anonymous. Seems that is u that is the lab tech that run the samples of the DMO.
What’s wrong with the MOH. Here is the definition of outbreak:
Outbreak is a term used in epidemiology to describe an occurrence of disease greater than would otherwise be expected at a particular time and place. It may affect a small and localized group or impact upon thousands of people across an entire continent. Two linked cases of a rare infectious disease may be sufficient to constitute an outbreak. Outbreaks may also refer to epidemics, which affect a region in a country or a group of countries, or pandemics, which describe global disease outbreaks.
Two people affected is an outbreak. The MOH confirms 5 cases. What’s their point?
I read the article and I don’t see why the health ministry says it is misleading. The article says that there are 5 cases this year.
DNO reported in September last year the ollowing:
“We do not think we have it under control because we continue to see a number of cases occurring in Dominica. Fortunately for us we have not seen any death recently but to date we have confirmed a total of 32 cases. On average we have seen four cases within the last four months,” he said.”
They said 32, the article reported 50…what’s going on? The same way it was denied last year and several persons died…
Since when does the government give out accurate information?
that mouse is innocent.that too cute to spread desease
rat!
sso and even a certain district medical officer got it
again with the cute mouse
DNO please get a more offensive, scrawny looking souwi! That handsome little souwi all you showing there couldn’t possibly be carrying leptospirosis, that souwi is a law-abiding citizen, a conscientious tax-payer. If I was that cute souwi, I would consider this publication libelous and take the necessary legal action
!!
LOL I like that…but remember looks are deceiving eh..
LOLOLOL ayyyeee Irie u not easy!!!!