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Sunday, November 4, 2012
Barbadian health officials have issued a leptospirosis alert, urging the public to wear adequate protective clothing when participating in outdoor work or recreational activities, such as gardening and construction.
Last year, the island recorded three deaths from 44 cases and so far this year, the number of people suffering from the disease has been put at 29.
Senior Medical Officer of Health, Dr Karen Springer, said the disease, which includes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, nausea and vomiting, could be contracted through contact with water, or damp soil or vegetation that is contaminated with the urine of infected animals, such as rodents.
In more severe cases, the illness may result in liver damage and jaundice, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, kidney failure, and internal bleeding.
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