The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is assisting Dominica address a surge of leptospirosis cases experienced in recent times.
Dominica recorded a significant increase in the disease in 2010, while two people died this year from the illness, which locally, has been linked mainly to rats.
A PAHO pathologist is on island assessing the current status of leptospirosis and the measures taken locally to address it. “He will submit a report to the Ministry of Health soon. We have given him the programs that we have developed. He will now look at it, analyze it and come up with other suggestions,” said Chief Environmental Health Officer Anthony Scotland.
The PAHO official has been meeting with agriculture and health personnel here including the National Pest and Termite Control.
Last year the Environmental health department reported 14 cases of leptospirosis compared to as little as one case in previous years.
Health officials have been telling Dominicans to increase their vigilance over leptospirosis by keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding contact with water sources contaminated with rat urine.
Farmers have been especially warned to wear protective gear while on the job and ensure animal feeds are stored in rat-proof containers.
Leptospirosis is transmitted to humans from animals. It is usually transmitted when water contaminated by infected rat urine comes in contact with breaks in the skin or eyes. The disease can cause high fever, headache, muscle aches, abdominal pains, and vomiting.
i dont want to get that disease
This can also be contacted on the can foods we purchase in the stores. Rats runs in wharehouses. The rats can urinate on these cans, someone purchase the can and did not was it and this can also enter into the food. So there are many ways this disease can come about.
Dominicans get too nasty, they need to keep their surroundings clean
That’s a long time since Rikki’s death to begin to address the problem. This should have been an instantaneous exercise soon after the first death.We always wait for it to happen again before we act – shame
De Government living by the roadside? Why don’t you all clean in front of your homes and the roadsides where you live?
RAISE AND KEEP MORE CATS AROUND YOUR HOMES AND GARDEN.THEY DEFINITELY help TO GET RID OF RATS AND YOUR NEIGHBOURS OWN. IT WORKS.BUT DONOT OVER FEED YOUR CATS.
How about stop killing the large snakes, rats are on their menu!!!
cats can be carriers too.
Time for the government to look into ways to keep Dominica clean. Just look at the way our roadsides are.
I was in Dominica recently and I am realy worried about the number of rat dropins I saw
Why doesn’t anonymous ask for the government to come in and take care of his/her personal hygiene as well!? The authorities, over the years have tried, I believe, everything to ensure the environment and Dominica are kept clean – the questions to be asked therefore, are: who walks the streets of Dominica? who litters? who disregards ‘keep clean’ signs in the various strategic locations? who steals, yes, steals bins that are placed along the way in communities? who vandalizes the cans and other receptacles placed for disposal of garbage?
In the face of all this, I can only agree with “Brian” that Dominicans have become ‘nasty’ and I shall add insensitive, irresponsible and careless people, always seeking a scapegoat for their actions.
Why does everything have to be the Government. Don’t you think that the onus is on all of us to keep our surroundings clean? We can also teach our neighbour how to do it. I do agree that the Environmental Health Dept. has a role to play in all this, but if we as individuals start within our homes, then that is one less home for the health department and one less family who stands the chance of contracting this deadly disease.