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The local media on February 11th announced that there were
33 flood related deaths, 7 of these from drowning, 3 from dehydration, 2 from
delayed medical care and 22 Leptospirosis cases being investigated.
Leptospirosis is a water borne disease that comes from infected animals such as
cows and other livestock urinating in the very water that people must traverse
to get to their homes.
Message from Guyana Medical Association - February 4, 2005
With many areas remaining flooded and the fact that a “basin” effect has
occurred in many villages and much of the water is unlikely to dissipate in the
near future, the health risks to persons in these areas will progressively
increase. It should also be noted that the health risks will not vanish when the
water recedes but will change from essentially being water-borne illnesses to
vector-borne illnesses.
The water in these areas is largely stagnant and with the large numbers of
humans and animals residing in these waters, the degree of contamination with
human and animal excrement will continue to increase. The cases of confirmed and
presumed leptospirosis along with deaths are an indication of the degree of
contamination and the risk to persons in these areas. In addition, other
gastrointestinal illness presenting with vomiting and diarrhea will also be
largely due to bacterial or parasitic infection resulting from the ingestion of
sewage-contaminated water.
We would therefore strongly recommend that ALL persons, especially women,
children and the elderly, vacate the flooded areas at the earliest possible
opportunity. It is our belief that the continued presence of humans in these
areas will lead to greater morbidity and mortality. Also, since the health
threat is increasing and will be sustained, preventative health care measures
may not be as effective as intended and thus every effort should be made to
encourage citizens to vacate ALL flooded areas. Signed by
Surendra Persaud M.D. President, Guyana Medical Association
What is leptospirosis:
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is
caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of
symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. 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, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could
develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain
and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death
occurs.
Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Leptospirosis is
confirmed by laboratory testing of a blood or urine sample.
How do people get leptospirosis: Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated
with the urine of infected animals. Many different kinds of animals carry the
bacterium; they may become sick but sometimes have no symptoms. Leptospira
organisms have been found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild
animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil
containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing
contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especially with mucosal
surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not
known to be spread from person to person.
How long is it between the time of exposure and when people become sick: The time between a person's exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick
is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other
symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases; after the first phase, with
fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, the patient may
recover for a time but become ill again. If a second phase occurs, it is more
severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis. This phase is
also called Weil's disease.
The illness lasts from a few days to 3 weeks or longer. Without treatment,
recovery may take several months.
Other types of water borne diseases
Cryptosporidiosis:
A diarrheal disease caused by a parasite that lives in human and animal
intestines. The parasite can survive outside the body for a long time and resist
chlorine disinfection. One mouthful of contaminated water can cause infection.
E coli 157:H7:
A strain of bacteria that causes severe diarrhea with bleeding and abdominal
cramps. Primarily spread through uncooked meat, it can be contracted by swimming
in contaminated water.
Giardiasis:
A diarrheal illness caused by a parasite that lives in the intestines of people
and animals. One of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United
States, it is contracted by mouth contact with feces-contaminated water.
Hepatitis A:
Caused by a virus, this disease may be spread by contact with water contaminated
with human feces or by people who did not wash their hands properly. Symptoms
include fever, loss of appetite and nausea, although children younger than 3 may
not have symptoms but can still spread the virus.
Naegleria fowleri:
An amoeba that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare disease that
is almost always fatal. The amoeba, found normally in the sediment of many
Florida lakes, becomes infectious at temperatures from 82 to 86 degrees and
higher.
Shigellosis:
A bacterial disease that causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps and is spread
by contact with fecal material.
Swimmer's itch:
A skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to parasites found in birds and
mammals that is spread by snails. The parasites are found in salt water and
fresh water. Burning and itching symptoms may get worse with more exposure.
Viral gastroenteritis:
Watery diarrhea and vomiting caused by a number of viruses, such as Norwalk
virus. May be spread by swallowing water contaminated by infected individuals. |
