The Ministry of Health says there are five confirmed cases of leptospirosis in Dominica and is alerting residents to take drastic measures to avert the spread of the disease.
Leptospirosis is a serious preventable bacterial disease most often transmitted to humans who are exposed to infected rat urine.
Human leptospirosis includes an onset of fever, chills, eye redness, headache and muscle soreness that resolves spontaneously or after treatment with antibiotics. But up to 10 percent of infected persons may develop a serious systemic form of the illness, Weil’s disease, which can result in high fever, jaundice, aseptic meningitis, acute kidney failure, internal bleeding and, occasionally, death.
The ministry said leptospirosis can be confused with Dengue Fever because of the similarity in symptoms and it urges clinicians to consider the diagnosis of leptospirosis in patients who complain of flu-like symptoms especially those who could have been exposed to the urine of rats or to pools of infected water, which can be present in puddles, parks and ravines.
In Dominica the most common carriers are rats, dogs and livestock. “Humans do not transmit the infection to others,” the ministry said.
People who are at the highest risk for leptospirosis are farmers, veterinarians, sanitation and sewer workers. those involved in food preparation who may be exposed to rat-contaminated surroundings when hygienic measures are unsatisfactory, as well as persons involved in recreational activities (campers, freshwater swimmers)
The Ministry of Health said it has put in motion an action plan to respond effectively to the situation in the affected areas and urges the public to take the following measures.
• 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
The ministry said it will continue to maintain vigilance 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 in Dominica.
the cassava has aloa lot of rats and mice running about the bakery . from my experience there I also send that children belonging to the owner always at the bakery most times an or in filthy clothes .. I also realize rat shit on the windows and where the man bakes the bread . DATplace is filthy and need to be shut down … SSomeone plz contact the health inspector… The people who prepare the raw cassava are not healthy .. A lotof things is wrong … Place name is Daniels Cassava Bakery…. Plz inform the health iinspector
stop emphazing about rats and gabbage and sorroundings but condemn the lover of dogs and cats who have those animal living in their homes crawling in their houses on their beds, kissing these so call pets after these animal go outside in gabbage, contaminated soil then enter their homes, infants are expose to these contaminated animals where the children creep on the floor where these animal crawl. environmental authorities be more vigilant and proactive. Stop the spread.
This time give the people the right antibiotics instead of the wrong ones. This disease can be reversed. No more cases like what happened to Ricki A. due to misdiagnosis.
i agree they must be careful cause rats are nasty type of animals
All you say it cute. Voleh it voleh! I would give it ONE KOOL WOSH where it is there all you would see. I hate all rats CUTE OR UGLY.
why rats are speading diseses
I HATE RATS RATS ARE NOT HELPFUL ANIMALS
Tourist doh know rat? they going places worst of than Dominica seeing worst crime and the list goes on. Bye all there drugs etc etc. its about a few hihtees who complain. check the middle they love it here and the people. But again it is a business for profit.
Some people put Garbage after the truck done pass and go. people need to find out the hours and days of collection. someone in the neighbor should be paid a fee to keep garbage together when dogs bust the bags. people don’t throw left overs directly in bag. Seal it wrap it freeze then throw away. neighbors don’t stay up and dirty the drain an leave it for those below who don’t use the drain to clean every time. Everybody can clean but our people to think they should not hold a broom or mop in there hands. business owners clean your place to. you might do a better Job than your worker YOUR PLACE WEE.
We need rat poison on the island an cheap to. Everything is a cost those days. Restaurant owners please water your drains after all pots and pans washed. Throw less scraps or none at all down the drains.
Rum Shop owners have a toilet for your drinker’s. that to keeps rodents around. Nastyness. Men and women urinating on the roadside high day spiting on side walks. MAYOR> leave Karam and go do you inspection around Roseau rum shops and resturants.
This should be dealt with as a national emergency. We need our health inspectors to step up and ensure that best practices for food storage and distribution are in place. No Dominican should have to die from this in this modern era!
Serious we have to be-careful what we bye from the shops./supermarket/ market vendors everybody even in homes. you get the picture. we have to protect everybody is not just making a dollar. inland revenue have to give back to those who throw away back spoiled and rat bit goods off the shelves. Rats can pee on those things.
In May 2011, during the last reported outbreak of Leptospirosis in Dominica, the Honourable Minister for Health informed the Nation via this DNO medium that his Ministry was “developing protocols” to deal with Leptospirosis. Does the Honourable Minister have any updates on those “protocols”?
I would like to submit one more point to the Ministry’s action plan and that it:
. when you go by the little shop to play Dominos and you buy a beer, please wash the can before you drink because the beer may have been stored where rats are present.
By the way, does our well informed Mayor have any information on Roseau’s rat population?
Come on people be serious,this issue should be given priority. We should be careful about where we eat and what we eat. There are a lot of rats in the town. The drains are filthy and the refuse from the restaurant is appalling.
While citizens are asked to take all measures to prevent this disease from spread. The garbage collection around Dominica needs to be collected on time and properly. Garbage most times sit by the road side (especially the country side areas) for weeks and weeks – The Ministry of Health and Environment must look into this matter urgently and promptly
While citizens are asked to take all measures to prevent this disease from spread. The garbage collection around Dominica needs to be collected on time and properly. Garbage most times sit by the road side (especially the country side areas) for weeks and weeks – The Ministry of Health and Environment must look into this matter urgently and promptly
i know rite its so cuteeee!!!!
awww look at a cute little rat! lol but seriously people be careful ok..and stay healthy
Awww!!! It so cute, who would want to kill it??
I was thinking the same thing!!! lol
Me no matter how cute it is
Rats in the palace! And you wonder why Cruise ships pulling out of Dominica. Go figure Dominicans!
the rat lookin so innocent .. we all know dem rat dominica have ugly like .. all their feet black .. a mice as a pet all u have in de pic ..
putting a photo of an adorable mouse is not going to make me afraid
boy you guys took the words straight from my mouth
the rat is too cute to kill…again
put an ugly rat there please… one that looks like my neighbour.
so dno put the rat in a cradle.wosh dno lol
That’a a hospital bed
That’s a hospital bed
that cute rat again DNO…LOLOLOLOL!
should put an ugly rat instead of that cutieee
i agree if it was dam well ugly ppl would take more caution, so is that they need to put there let people see them for what they are, not no dam cutieeee.
Here comes another story again…But what is it in Dominica nah… AWAR MAN!
Stay safe Domnican’s.Shop Keepers must also make sure their grocery stores or super markets are free of rats. Some may sell at a cheaper price, but make sure the food is safe and not contaminated.