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Humans become infected with leptospirosis through direct contact with the urine of infected animals, especially rats,  or with a urine-contaminated. environment.
Humans become infected with leptospirosis through direct contact with the urine of infected animals, especially rats, or with a urine-contaminated. environment.
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) recorded 15 cases of leptospirosis so far this year, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

The ministry further said it is monitoring closely the situation of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), as there have been confirmed cases in educational institutions in the country.

And while there have been reports of an increased number of dengue fever cases in some Caribbean countries, SVG has only confirmed one case this year.

There has been, however, no laboratory confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), a respiratory viral illness now endemic to SVG, the ministry said. 

Leptospirosis cases

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Of the leptospirosis cases, 80% occurred in males, with 73.3% of all cases occurring in males aged 25-66 years old. 

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. 

Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. Person-to-person transmission is rare. Rodents are implicated most often in human cases and the ministry said it is, therefore, important to prevent the harbouring of rodents on one’s premises. 

Prevention strategies

Prevention strategies of human leptospirosis include: 

• Trimming overgrown vegetation and overhanging trees 

• Proper storage and disposal of garbage

• Feeding pets during the day and properly disposing of all remaining food

• Avoid consuming foods (including fruits, vegetables and ground provisions) suspected to have been bitten by, or contaminated with, the droppings of rodents

• Elimination of rodents through the use of baits and traps.

In the early stages of the leptospirosis disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, bleeding in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash. 

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Meanwhile, the ministry said that HFMD is caused by a group of viruses known as enterovirus.

The virus can spread from person to person through close personal contact, such as hugging an infected person, or the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

HFMD is also spread through contact with feces, such as changing diapers of an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces like door knobs, then touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth before washing one’s hands

HFMD usually starts with fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and a feeling of being unwell. 

One or two days after the fever starts, painful sores can develop in the mouth. These sores usually begin as small red spots, often in the back of the mouth that blister and can become painful. 

A skin rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet may also develop over one or two days as flat, red spots, sometimes with blisters. It may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area. 

Generally, a person with hand, foot, and mouth disease is most contagious during the first week of illness. People can sometimes be contagious for days or weeks after symptoms go away, the ministry said, adding that it is important to drink enough liquids to prevent dehydration.

Precautionary measures

The Ministry is advising persons to take the following precautionary measures: 

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or using the toilet, before feeding children, preparing or eating food  

• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

• Thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces and soiled items first, with soap and water and then with disinfectant.  

• Avoid sending children to daycare and school if they are suffering from HFMD 

• Follow safe food hygiene and water practices  

• Avoid close contact such as kissing and hugging infected people. Monitor children for early detection and symptoms and take those who have persistent fever and blisters on hands and feet to your healthcare provider for treatment.  

Swine flu

The ministry said that this year, the number persons reporting fever and respiratory symptoms generally remained at expected levels, with two recent deviations from the norm recorded in epidemiological week 42 (October) and week 47 (November). 

To decrease your chances of contracting or spreading this virus, it is important to practice good hand-washing and other hygienic practices. The flu vaccine is not available within the public health care sector, but can be accessed in the private sector, the ministry said. 

8 replies on “SVG records 15 cases of leptospirosis; HFMD confirmed in schools”

  1. The ULP Government led by the leader of the Gonsalves/Francis family dynasty have known about the problem for the longest time. The rat infestation in Kingstown and throughout the country and state is a failure on their part.

    Peter Binose published umpteen stories about the rat problem in SVG, even in schools.

    https://www.iwnsvg.com/2013/04/10/kingstown-city-of-rats-and-raw-sewage-opinion/comment-page-1/

    https://www.iwnsvg.com/2014/11/05/public-health-officials-discuss-rodent-control/

    https://www.iwnsvg.com/2014/05/08/desirable-attributes-of-the-next-leader-after-ralph/

    Interestingly it is important to read the comments attached to these articles. Also look at the counter propaganda comments that ULP paid online propagandists’ wrote to try and make wrong right.

    The government is the direct contributor to the disease because of their failure to take control of this long term crisis.

  2. There are so many big rats overrunning the country, perhaps it is time that more people give attention to the problems that they are causing, especially now that they are seen to be carrying some individuals to an early grave.

    And attention too by the way, even more so too, to those that are in the parliament and finance buildings.

  3. Me hear dem say dat ting nah easy ah dis country dread. No sah, nah easy attall, attall, atall! Widd 15 cases ah leptospirosis, dis foot and mouth disease, H1N1 (swine flu) and dengue fever, bway all arwe ah go dead!

    Dem day disease dread ah nah easy sarr! No sarr nah easy!

    Me say dis yah is bare slackness dat ah go arn yah wid dem day man yah, who ah say dat ah dem day dat ah run tings ah dis yah yard!

    But watch yah, dem nah care fo we dread, dem care fe dem self only, yo nah see! Now ah way dem ah go run to now fo beg carse dem day ah so lack? Way? Dat ah way me ah ask? Way? Why dem nah clean-up de place lang time? Now man ah dead carse ah fe dem slackness!

  4. Well if every body keep their places clean etc , dont you think thst would help? Come on people stop the foolishness about Government. Cleanliness is Godliness. Clean up clean up. In America, UK, France, they all have rats and also more resources than little us, lets clean, my neighbour would clean, the other wont, then rats are fed. The mentality of you guys really sucks at time. Go and live where there are no rats big or small.

  5. That young dude who is minister of health is learning on the job at the expense of lives. What the f**k is this? You (people) ain’t figure it out yet? This is the n’th instance where the ministry of health’s incompetence is on display. Must be sleeping on the job. Heads should roll over this but,

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