Leptospirosis Risk โRisesโค in Holguรญn following Hurricane Melissa
Following the passageโค of Hurricane Melissa,โ the province of Holguรญn, Cuba is facing anโ increased risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contact โคwith contaminated water and animal urine. Provincial health authorities issuedโ an epidemiological alert โon November 27, according to reports from Radio Angle.
The risk is โheightenedโ due to widespread flooding and damageโฃ to sewage systems left in the wake of the hurricane, creating ideal conditions for the spread of the disease.โ Existing poor sanitary conditions and the presence of โคanimals โlike pigs, historically contribute to high โขrates of leptospirosis in โthe province. The accumulation of garbage and a proliferation of mosquitoes areโข also contributing to a broader health deterioration, particularly in the Lenin neighborhood, with illnesses โขaffecting both adultsโฃ and children.
Leptospirosis is causedโค by the Leptospiraโ questioning bacteria andโข can infect humans and a variety of animals, including dogs and rodents. Theโ bacteria enters the body through skin โคabrasions or mucous membranes, attacking organs like the liver and kidneys. Transmission occursโ through contact with infected โฃurine.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes), and โpain in the calf muscles. Other symptoms can include headaches, muscle, joint, and bone pain, and bleeding. Health โขofficials are urging residents not to delay seeking medical attention if these symptoms โappear, asโฃ the disease canโ become complicated andโค require more intensiveโ treatment.
Authorities are recommending preventative measures for those at higher risk,โ including rice farmers, individuals โขcrossing flooded streams, animal breeders, and agricultural workers. These measures include wearing gloves and work boots, and frequent hand washingโข after potential exposure. โSpecific warnings have been issued against walking barefoot in โmuddy โareas โor unprotected in pig pens.
Beyond leptospirosis, Holguรญnโข is also experiencing an increase in febrile syndromes linked to the circulation โขof chikungunya and dengue serotype โfour, as reported on November 14. โThe province is โคcurrently focusedโ on both recovering from the material damage โคcaused by Hurricane Melissa andโข containingโค these potentialโค outbreaks, particularlyโฃ in vulnerable rural communities and among agricultural workers.
