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Alert raised on leptospirosis
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Posted on Nov 07 2000
The Department of Public Health yesterday warned the people against engaging in any recreational activity near the Talafofo falls area following recent diagnosis of two leptospirosis cases and one more suspected case based on clinical findings.
According to Dr. Farhana Habib, DPH medical director, the cases discovered visited Talafofo falls thus, the department has advised the people to refrain from swimming, trail biking and hiking in the area.
DPH will make the announcement when the Talafofo falls area is finally safe after the necessary steps have been undertaken by health officials.
The route of entry of the disease is through skin, mucous membrane or conjunctiva. “Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare,” she said.
Leptospirosis is an acute generalized infectious disease caused by the spirochete of the genus leptospira. Humans get leptosirosis after exposure to animal urine, contaminated water or soil or infected animal tissue.
Rats are the most common source of human infection. Other animals that can be the source of the disease are dogs, livestock, rodents, wild mammals and cats.
Dr. Habib said those who are suffering from the disease will experience different symptoms such as headache, fever, rash, severe muscle pain, conjunctivitis, bone pain and abdominal pain. The definitive diagnosis depends on laboratory findings, she added.
Human infection can be prevented by avoiding potential sources of infection such as exposure to stagnant water, animal urine while engaged in cleaning activity, water runoff from animal farms, animal contaminated food and swimming in contaminated areas. (LFR)
