– Ramsammy warns
Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has warned that the floodwaters swamping some communities across the country hold the threat of leptospirosis among other flood-related diseases, and is calling on affected residents to take heed and avoid the risk.

Two suspected cases of the bacterial disease, which had seen fatalities in the 2005 Great Flood, are currently being monitored at the Georgetown Public Hospital and one has already been declared “very serious”. However, according to Ramsammy, there is no need for people to panic. But, he said, there is a need for all affected persons to take note.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Since January some 68 cases of leptospirosis have been detected in the local health sector, mainly from areas in proximity to markets; this is based on figures compiled as recent as Friday last. The recent flooding in some communities has not triggered a string of fresh new cases, but the possibility of a spike in the suspected leptospirosis infections can happen, according to the Health Minister.

Normally the health sector would see around one or two cases of leptospirosis a week or none at all some weeks, but during periods of flooding the numbers would increase to three to five cases, Ramsammy said, adding that this was “expected”.

With stagnant floodwaters in communities such as Dochfour, East Coast Demerara and water rising in villages in the lower and central Corentyne areas, as well at Mahaica/Mahai-cony, leptospirosis can spread Ramsammy said, adding, “it can and it will if people ignore our advisories”.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals; an outbreak of leptospirosis is usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, and many different kinds of animals carry the bacterium that causes it. Leptospira organisms have been found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs and rodents.

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, diarrhoea, or a rash. If the disease goes untreated, patients could develop kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress. Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline, which should be given early in the course of the disease.

Yesterday, Ramsammy stated that any person experiencing the slightest symptoms should visit a health centre or hospital for immediate evaluation. He said that in the event of a surge in the suspected cases the ministry will roll out its prophylactic programme, which is a mass-scale distribution of the antibiotic doxycycline that was used to combat the possibility of a major outbreak of leptospirosis during the great 2005 flood.

But the prophylactic programme would be only be implemented if there is a spike in the leptospirosis infections. Ramsammy said the Ministry of Health is on alert, and that the local health machinery has already activated volunteers that are on the ready if the need arises. He noted too, that the major political parties in the country and the faith-based organizations, which had fully supported the volunteer programme three years ago, are willing to do so yet again.

“There are indications that persons in affected areas are not complying with the health advisories and that causes concern because of the risks that are out there, people ought to be conscious… not so long ago leptospirosis caused a great amount of suffering in this country,” the minister said in reference to the large number of cases that had been treated for the disease in 2005 and the deaths that resulted from it.

Expanded response
Ramsammy pointed out that health response to the flood situation had to be expanded
within the past few days, noting that teams are now fanning out across the country to areas that are severely affected. He mentioned areas such as Black Bush Polder, Port Mourant and Albion that are among those severely affected by floodwaters, as well as some areas along East Coast Demerara.

He reported that three teams were in Berbice, three on the East Coast and that another one was on alert at the ministry yesterday. Ramsammy said the aim is to reach as many affected persons as possible and treat them for the various infections.

According to him, health workers would be working overtime during this period and would be paid for it since government has agreed to cover them during the extended hours.

So far the majority of cases coming out of the flooded areas have been Acute Respiratory Infections. He said that some 51 per cent of persons were being treated for ARI. Another 33 per cent were treated for skin rashes and a smaller percent had diarrhoea and vomiting.

The minister advised that persons who are residing in flood affected areas should avoid the waters, and that if anyone has to be in the water protective gear should be worn at all times. He added that people can also rub oil or Vaseline on their skin when venturing into the water.