Suspected cases of Leptospirosis reported after Erika

Leptospirosis is transmitted to humans who are exposed to infected rat urine
Leptospirosis is often transmitted to humans who are exposed to infected rat urine

There are suspected cases of Leptospirosis in the Roseau Health district and Chief Environmental Health Officer Anthony Scotland said it is cause for concern, especially after the passing of Tropical Storm Erika.

Leptospirosis is a serious preventable bacterial disease most often transmitted to humans who are exposed to the infected urine of rats, dogs and other mammals.

According to Scotland, conditions are conducive for breeding and transmission of deadly diseases following the passage of the storm, which left havoc in its wake.

“We are concerned at Environmental Health because we have an environmental health situation where there are more mosquito breeding in the environment and also you have conditions ideal for the transmission of Leptospirosis,” he said in an interview with state-owned DBS Radio.

“We have three suspected cases of Leptospirosis and the officers are basically out there investigating the cases and to see how we can put some control measures in place to prevent the spread of that disease,” Scotland stated.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, sudden headaches, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle pain particularly in the muscles in the calves and lower back.

The following measures can be followed to prevent exposure to the disease:

•    Avoid contact with surfaces and water sources that may be contaminated with rat urine
•    Keep your home and its surroundings clean and free of garbage
•    Avoid leaving food where rats or rodents could get to it
•    Deny access to rats by erecting rodent-proof fences and screens and ensure possible household entry places are blocked off
•    Farmers should ensure that animal feeds are stored in rat-proof containers
•    If you work in a job where you may come into contact with a contaminated surface or water source, ensure you wear protective clothing, shoes, and gloves and to report to a health facility if they suspect they have any of the above symptoms

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

30 Comments

  1. Me
    September 20, 2015

    I tired tell DNO don’t put that nice rat there. I cannot watch that cute thing then go and kill it’s cousins

  2. overseas Dominican
    September 19, 2015

    Roseau is the capital and it smell dirty why is there not friendly trees planted all over the place and why is there no pipes to was down the dam place? if i lived in Dominica i would Voltaire to plant trees and water the every evening if the city counsel would agree.

  3. WorldCup
    September 18, 2015

    Skerrit can say what he want America is #1, Venezuela is crap and Maduro can never come in Obama shoes.

  4. CYRIL Volney
    September 18, 2015

    Our garbage disposal responsibilities in DA are atrocious. No closable bins used, so dogs and rats get in. Garbage pickup does not follow a schedule because de truck broke down. It is simply not a priority in our culture. We have to take responsibility and moderate our behaviors. Leptospirosis is an offshoot of filth. If this is not handled properly, and our visitors hear about this, our tourism will be affected. In this time of great need, everyone must do their part. One Love.

  5. Daphne Edwards-Simmons
    September 18, 2015

    Sorry to hear this. All the rodents should have been washed out to sea, but I believe they are good swimmers, better than humans.
    People beware.

  6. unknown767
    September 18, 2015

    sigh we need to get the garbage out of these villages

  7. AID RELIEF
    September 18, 2015

    This is just the beginning! The authorities were warned a Humanitarian Crisis could be on our hands if precautionary measures were not put in place quickly. From the onset, there seem to be a lack of understanding of how this Should be handled and it was Mismanaged from the get go.
    There was no clear pathway, it’s as if people were just groping in the dark not sure what to do. Yet, the PM refused to obtain Assistance from the Country most Qualified to deal with Disaster on this Magnitude.
    This is clearly way over his head. He needs to get a grip of this situation forthwith! Otherwise, step aside and let someone more Competent with Fortitude take control.
    We’ve already lost lives as a direct result of Tropical Storm Erika with countless missing. Further deaths as a result of Negligence is Unconscionable!
    This is not the time to be Macho and Foolhardy with the lives of people hanging in the balance!
    The Dominican people are hurting and we deserve better.
    Dominica Strong. We…

  8. Annoymous Reader
    September 17, 2015

    Not surprised at all…I saw people wading through flood waters wearing nothing but flip-flops and I said to myself, “my god these pople not thinking of germs??”

    Roseau is a nasty rat infested town with rodents as big as cats. So if Leptospirosis is around again, I’m certainly not surprised.

    I myself never walk outside my house without shoes, I certainly would never wade in dirty, muddy flood waters in my sandals. *shudders*

    The authorities need to caution people to stop this practice of just walking anywhere barefoot or barely shoed.

    • anonymous2
      September 18, 2015

      It may be all that they have to wear, if anything.

  9. Fatigue avec one man show-la
    September 17, 2015

    The following measures can be followed to prevent exposure to the disease:
    .See Dr.Ricketts

    • Avoid contact with surfaces and water sources that may be contaminated with rat urine
    • Keep your home and its surroundings clean and free of garbage
    • Avoid leaving food where rats or rodents could get to it
    • Deny access to rats by erecting rodent-proof fences and screens and ensure possible household entry places are blocked off
    • Farmers should ensure that animal feeds are stored in rat-proof containers
    • If you work in a job where you may come into contact with a contaminated surface or water source, ensure you wear protective clothing, shoes, and gloves and to report to a health facility if they suspect they have any of the above symptoms

  10. September 17, 2015

    But how dey so careless na dey should hv one us a long time ago awa we

  11. Catarina
    September 17, 2015

    To zuma I agree with you 100 %. Just a short boat ride away you have St. Barths the cleanest little island I ever saw! I wish all Dominicans could visit St.Barths to see what Dominica could be? It’s not about money, it’s ok to be poor but clean. Now is a good time to change.

  12. 101
    September 17, 2015

    y y yyyyyyyyyyyy—dno that beautiful rat u showing there, is responsible for spreading that deadly disease? papaaaaa

    • John Paul
      September 21, 2015

      do not forget Cats and Dogs Agouti and other mamals can be infected and carry the desease too

  13. anonymous2
    September 17, 2015

    Too many rats on this island, both of the 2 and 4 legged variety. Now comes disease and illness.

  14. MY 2cents
    September 17, 2015

    Someone needs to let Joseph Isaac know to clean up that nonsense he did dumping garbage in the parking lot by the Riverside apartment. Noticing rats there already. First little leway they give him and he made a disaster of it. And they want to run the country. Hmmmm

  15. September 17, 2015

    Proper hygiene is the best solution to this dangerous problem..Wash every thing that is put in use thoroughly ,dirty things such as clothes should not be put together,every thing in the kitchen should be washed before use ,keep foods in containers with lid or cover firmly closed,through away safely any left over food,was hands with soap after every task and before touching any food or kitchen utensils.

  16. Jim pwell
    September 17, 2015

    but Erica came to kill us Bordieu

  17. help the lady
    September 17, 2015

    i wonder who they goign to blame for this in haiti they bame the UN for colera evan after people were warned to boil water and take precautions this time the UN was not in dominica who u all goign to blame for it

  18. Zuma
    September 17, 2015

    Name a few. And there are no vehicles whatsover in the city. Dominica should have underground parking its high time, we are in 2015. The Pm is traveling frequently he must be seeing these types of infastructure, who are the Engineers on the island, what r they doing? who is advising the government…. In the interest of the citizens especially the small business. Owners/ vendors , I say do something strategic about Roseau and do it quick. The town should be painted in bright colors roads and streets with no vehicles parked on the roadside, build parking areas for those who do not have a garage. Keep Roseau clean and free from Rats…… This is not a criticism . It is an honest observation… And I am hoping my words won’t fall on deaf ears or said in vain… the town should be set up for the Vendors, the business owners of course, who are already established. No public or private transportation should remain parked on the roads in the City… Let the city be a. Beauty to…

    • MY 2cents
      September 17, 2015

      As usual everyone thinks they a genius. Are you really serious about underground parking? Don’t you know before you dig down a few feet in Roseau you run into water, lots of water. Typical duminican with no brains to think logically before they talk. Especially those that go overseas and come back suffering from i never thought. What works in other parts of the world doesn’t necessarily mean it will work here.

      • Zuma
        September 20, 2015

        Your name alone speaks for you. Eg when a 6ft grave hole is dug have you seen , water, just asking… That’s why they are called Enginneers. The intellects who studied how to strategically design any type of structure, be it a bridge, tower,or an underground park. Have you read about the euro Tunnel and how it was built.I guess not. Instead of wasting your time making uneducated comments go and Google the euro tunnel.

    • anonymous2
      September 17, 2015

      Unfortunately. no money.

    • Kakarat
      September 17, 2015

      Good ideas, but in an area prone to heavy rainfall, underground parking is not that simple. Drainage may be a serious engineering undertaking.

    • Mealone
      September 18, 2015

      Zumba you have too many high ideas. You will go crazy It’s people like you we have to look out for. Stop dreaming….. You are not in Disney world. See how big America and people who don’t have parking , park their cars on the streets.

    • the fly
      September 18, 2015

      Zama, you did not mention underground trains like london or overhead trains and lots more ,one more thing what have you been drinking hope it’s not dirty water.

    • Ideal
      September 20, 2015

      Zuma which city in the world did you visit and not see vehicles part on the streets? I live in a big city and I see this every day. I agree we need parking space but I suggest car pooling into Roseau should be encouraged.

  19. Zuma
    September 17, 2015

    A medical issue for concern. Which should be acted upon quickly by the health Authorities. Secondly I believe it’s high time that the responsible. Town council/Mayor /tourism Minister decide seriously what must be done about this once beautiful city. I once said. Roseau should be a transport free zone no access whatsoever in the city centre, persons from bathe estate, new town and further should Keep their vehicles outside of the city, buss drivers and private vehicle owners… Roseau must be made to be seen as the most touristique city in the Caribbean and to the world. So many rotten caisse Kai Poule. Rotten fences. as for the market area a grim site in a rainy day. Please please the responsible do something about this town called Roseau. It’s the first thing that the tourists sees from the ships and the last thing when they are living.. And we keep talking about tourism we doh ready yet…. I have visited many smaller countries in Europe Corsica, kos in Greece, Ibiza just to

    • Mealone
      September 18, 2015

      When you become rich…..come do all what you are fantazing about

      • Zuma
        September 20, 2015

        And then u all talking about long term thinking in relation to an international airport.. If you can’t undertake a simple task like an underground parking well I don’t know how u plan to to begin to think how an international airport can be built in DA..

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available