Health officials in Dominica are working with technicians from Cuba to help control the rodent population in Dominica.
Leptospirosis a disease mainly caused by rats is not yet fully under control and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Johnson said officials are trying to introduce a new form of control.
“We are working with Cuban officials. We have evidence of a high population of rodents and because of that Leptospirosis is not under control. It is a concern to use and we want the general public to assist us in reducing the spread at this time,” he said.
He said there are a number of case of Leptospirosis in Dominica.
“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.
He said it’s disconcerting that the matter has not been brought under control.
Leptospirosis is transmitted to humans from animals, mainly rats 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.
In May Ricky Allport and Jonathan Wilson died from suspected cases of Leptosprosis.
Snakes are protected yet folks go out of their way to kill them. Snakes kill rats and other rodents.
stop tossing trash in the ravine.keep the place clean.
stop killing snakes…
@ DAD
That is true.. In my community , it seems to be like i am the only one who cares about rubbish. Peolple just dont care. RUBISH IS EVERY WHERE. Unless we dont dispose of our garbage properly we will continue to have that problem. U cannot tell me some dogs scaterred some rubbish across the road from where you llive, and itstayed there how many days and u turn your head when u coming out of your house? Saying, oh, rubbish truck will pick it up. wat if the rubbish truck never comes? Come on people, LETS KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES CLEAN… A mouth from Portsmouth.
What is happening to our public health department in Dominica? We have had documented deaths from leptospirosis at least four months ago and today we seem to be having an increased incidence of the disease. What is even more shameful is that we have to beg for help from Cuba to address this condition. Can we not simply eliminate those vermins and strive to keep our surroundings clean? do we need the help of the Cubans to achieve this or do we simply have a beggars mentality? I hear now that we have an outbreak of Dengue, a condition transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Does that mean that we are breathing Mosquitoes and Vermins in Dominica/we have become nasty and by extension cannot take care of our countries health while we spend millions on the state palace? My Government and People where are our priorities?
The motto of the present people in power as I see it is ‘Wealth before health’. How long has this problem has been existing? – too long.
SO WAHATPEN, DEM RAT FRAID COMMUNIST MAN!
THAT RAT TOO CUTE!
PUT MY NEIGHBOUR PICTURE THERE INSTEAD
A hollywood rat that their man, lol.
Where the hell did them white rats came from, never seen them creature in DA before, our rats used to be black not them colour that i am seeing right now, those rats are imported rats, looks like they were brought to DA
HAHAHAHA
boy that mouse pretty ,wowww
why you’ll had to put such a cute animal to describe such a deadly disease awa wi , i want him as a pet
you took the words right out of my mouth lolol
correction!!!!! this isn’t a ‘rat’ but this is a ‘mouse’…. just like a toolooloo isn’t a crab….
dno put an ugly rat…. that cute rat not going to let people think twice about littering and garbage dumping… dat rat too cute… all it missing is dimples like the ‘beloved’ and they’d be twins
The rat population cannot be brought under control if people continue to put garbage by the roadside for days!I mean, are we not concerned at all?? It’s an eyesore when one walk around particular neighborhoods and each abandoned/empty lot is like a dumpsite. We need to educate our people about proper disposal. I’m concerned about my health and well being, so I will keep harassing the authority about the empty lots, garbage put out on days not designated for pick-up, and even report anyone polluting the environment.
I always wonder: what if we could eat rats, would there be so many around??
Agree with you not only on the road but in their backyard, there are persons renting houses in the valley, Trafalgar where we have a collection day, needless to say they refuse to put out their garbage only to see that there are bags and bags of garbage in the backyard, they are not Dominicans, will not disclose the nationality of the individuals, so what do we expect, hey what about all the rats let loose in Dominica after the stadium was completed, and what about the containers coming from China?
well, it would be nice if the garbage was picked up on the designated day!!
u need to take a walk by the pound area next to the ministry…d place nasty and the people who live there has no consideration….cant wait to have them relocated.
He is sooo cute!!
wow…so cute is this little ratty…..i want one for my pet…..
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete. Leptospirosis can be transmitted by many animals such as rats, skunks, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and other vermin. It is transmitted though contact with infected soil or water. The soil or water is contaminated with the waste products of an infected animal. People contract the disease by either ingesting contaminated food or water or by broken skin and mucous membrane (eyes, nose, sinuses, and mouth contact with the contaminated water or soil.
What are leptospirosis symptoms and signs?
Leptospirosis symptoms begin from two to 25 days after initial direct exposure to the urine or tissue of an infected animal. This can even occur via contaminated soil or water. Veterinarians, pet shop owners, sewage workers, and farm employees are at particularly high risk. People participating in outdoor sporting activities like canoeing, rafting, hiking, and camping can also come into contact with contaminated water or soil.
The illness typically progresses through two phases:
• The first phase of nonspecific flu-like symptoms includes headaches, muscle aches, eye pain with bright lights, followed by chills and fever. Watering and redness of the eyes occurs and symptoms seem to improve by the fifth to ninth day.
•
• The second phase begins after a few days of feeling well. The initial symptoms recur with fever and aching with stiffness of the neck. Some patients develop serious inflammation of the nerves to the eyes, brain, spinal column (meningitis), or other nerves. Right upper area abdominal pain may occur. Less common symptoms relate to disease of the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart.
Leptospirosis associated with liver and kidney disease is called Weil’s syndrome and is characterized by yellowing of the eyes (jaundice). Patients with Weil’s syndrome can also develop kidney disease and have more serious involvement of the organs affected.
How is leptospirosis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of leptospirosis is made by culture of the bacterial organism Leptospira from infected blood, spinal fluid, or urine. However, many doctors must rely upon risingLeptospira antibody levels in the blood in order to make the diagnosis, as the technique required to perform the culturing is delicate and difficult. Treatment with oral antibiotics should be started early in the course of leptospirosis. With early treatment, the prognosis for leptospirosis is generally good. In some serious cases, hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be needed.
Treatment of leptospirosis also includes:
• Good nutrition
• Hospitalization and intensive care when necessary
• Increased fluids
• Over-the-counter medicines for fever, headache and nausea
• Rest
That’s a cute rat though!!! But on serious note, people we need to keep our surroundings clean and get a cat while you are at it.