Leptospirosis disease not at crisis level, says Westmoreland Chief Health Inspector

The Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland Steve Morris says there has been an increase in the notifications for leptospirosis across the parish.

However, Morris says the disease has not reached crisis level.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that could lead to possible fatal infection of the kidney, liver, brain, lung or heart.

Morris says while it cannot be spread from human to human, it can be contracted through exposure to the urine or body fluid of infected animals.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank in Montego Bay recently, the chief public health inspector warned that every effort should be made to ensure that the disease is quickly detected and treated.

He also reminded members of the public that swimming in flood waters or eating foods that might have been contaminated with animal urine are at risk of contracting leptospirosis.