Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's Ministry of health has shifted into a proactive mode in an attempt to avoid the reoccurrence of water-borne diseases, especially leptospirosis, as the rainy season approaches.
Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has urged that all the necessary precautions be taken, especially during the rainy season when water is lodged on the land, to reduce the contraction of flood-related illnesses.
Preliminary testing has revealed two positive cases of leptospirosis and 10 cases with a high index of suspicion for the disease, hence the necessity of using the prophylactic treatment, the Minister said.
He said samples of those with suspicions cases will be sent to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, USA for confirmation.
The Ministry of Health has said there is no necessity at this time to have health workers undertake house to house distribution of the treatment but urged people to take advantage of the free distribution of the pills. "The fact is that leptospirosis is dangerous and people need to take special precaution for the risk of leptospirosis regardless of where they live," the Minister of Health advised.
Minister Ramsammy said persons who have been tested positive for the leptospirosis parasite and suspected cases are being monitored closely by health personnel to ensure there are no relapses. The Health Minister said, "Prophylactic treatment is available free at all public hospitals and health clinics," adding that, "all doctors and health care professional have been urged to be vigilant in looking for cases of leptospirosis."
During the 2005 January flood there was an outbreak of leptospirosis. Since then a special leptospirosis protocol has been prepared and health officials in the public system have been alerted to be on the look out for the disease. The Ministry of Health has advised that citizens take prophylactic doses of doxycycline, two pills (200mg) every five days. People are being urged to avoid floodwaters and follow the precautionary measures put in place by the Ministry of Health.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. The CDC states that the Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash.
The CDC also says that if the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Leptospirosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of a blood or urine sample.
Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
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