More leptospirosis cases and deaths

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton on Wednesday reported more leptospirosis cases and deaths amid the current outbreak arising from Hurricane Melissa.

Tufton told a special press conference at Jamaica House that there are now 11 deaths, three of which are from confirmed cases.

Further, he said that there are now 91 suspected or probable cases of leptospirosis, 10 of which have been confirmed from testing.

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters.

The figures are as at November 22.

Tufton stated that the Health Ministry continues to undertake work to limit the spread of and exposure to leptospirosis and other diseases following the hurricane, which hit Jamaica on October 28.

He noted that environmental health teams are in the field addressing the issues.

He said the ministry is working with partners on solid waste, vector control, PCR rapid testing, expanded personnel, and increased public education.

The health minister sought to reassure that the Government is doing all that is necessary to keep the public safe.

Tufton said the Government’s immediate public-health response following the passage of Melissa is “working,” even as assessments continue across hard-hit western parishes.

Tufton said emergency services were activated in the immediate aftermath of Melissa, with field hospitals being expanded to support communities where facilities were damaged.

He noted that two field hospitals have already been established, with a third to come on stream by this weekend.

Tufton said the most recent was at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland.

According to the minister, 101 health centres across western Jamaica were impacted by the storm, of which about 25 were extensively or badly damaged.

Jamaica has approximately 325 health centres.

The minister said technical teams are still conducting detailed assessments to determine the full scope of repairs.

He noted that efforts are under way to restore primary care services where possible, even when buildings remain compromised.

“We have attempted to restore services [at primary facilities], if not the infrastructure,” he said.

Tufton also acknowledged that many healthcare workers suffered personal losses during the hurricane, and the Ministry has been working to support their return to duties.

“We are proud of the team and what they are doing up to this point,” he added.

Addressing public concerns about sanitation and wider environmental threats in the wake of the storm, Tufton said he understands the anxieties, whether sincerely or otherwise motivated.

“We are very sensitive to the concerns that have been raised… We listen, we assess, and we will respond,” he said.

Tufton reassured the country that much of what is happening now was anticipated and the ministry had made preparations.

“It is not genius to predict it because the historical data support it. What is important is that we prepare for it and confront it…” Tufton said.

He said he was confident and comfortable with the approach taken, adding that health teams are doing their work.

He provided an update on the data surrounding leptospirosis following declarations of an outbreak locally.