Belize : Five people die from Leptospirosis, is the Ministry of Health launching an investigation?

Via Channel 5 News, excerpt :

" Tonight there are unconfirmed reports that the Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into five deaths, allegedly caused by an infectious bacterial disease known as leptospirosis. Lepto occurs in dogs, rodents and other mammals, but can be transmitted to humans, mainly through the urine or feces of infected animals. 

News Five has been able to confirm one death by leptospirosis, which tragically occurred on New Year’s Day. Michael Lewis was a popular traffic officer in Belize City. 

He passed away from the disease at just after eight pm on January first, one week after he was admitted to the K.H.M.H. Today, his sister-in-law, Noellee Swift-McField, told News Five that the medical personnel confirmed the cause of death, and also confirmed that Lewis was the fifth case they had treated."

Philippines : Death toll from leptospirosis outbreak in Olongapo rises to 8

Via GMA News, excerpt :

" Amid the declaration of a leptospirosis outbreak in Olongapo City, the death toll has climbed to eight while nearly 300 other cases have been reported. 

According to Dante Perello's report on GMA News TV's News TV Go on Thursday, 296 people have been diagnosed of leptospirosis, with most of them confined at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital.

 

Perello added that another part of the hospital has been converted into a ward to accommodate the high number of patients. 

 

He noted that out of 17, only three barangays in Olongapo City were not hit by the outbreak.

 

Last Wednesday, leptospirosis claimed the lives of five people while a total of 200 other cases were reported, prompting the city government to declare an outbreak.

 

In an interview aired on GMA News' Unang Balita Wednesaday, Dr. Jewel Manuel, hospital administrator of James Gordon Memorial Hospital, assumed that the victims were caught off guard since it was the first time the city experienced heavy flooding."

Malaysia : Another 150 cases of leptospirosis in two weeks

Via The Star :

" Another 150 cases of leptospirosis have been reported within a two-week period nationwide since Aug 10.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the latest statistic has brought the total number of rat urine disease cases to 2,925 so far this year.

A total of 28 deaths were reportedly caused by the disease as of Aug 24.

“The leptospirosis situation in Malaysia showed that rats were the main reservoir for the disease, although other wild animals could also be infected by the leptospira bacteria.

“We urge members of the public to avoid patronising food premises which are dirty, to maintain good hygiene and to avoid holding recreational activities by pools, ponds or rivers which are unkept.

“Handle your waste or garbage properly so that rats cannot feed on them or that could contri­­bute to an increase in the rat population,” Dr Subramaniam said during a press conference at the ministry here yesterday.

He also urged those who had been exposed to the risk of leptospirosis and had symptoms such as fever and body aches to seek medical attention immediately."

Malaysia : Leptospirosis cases on the rise

Via NST :

" The incidence of leptospirosis is on the rise, with 18 deaths out of 1,768 cases nationwide as at last June, according to Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He said the number of cases reported to the Health ministry in 2011 was 2,268 with 55 deaths while last year, 3,665 with 48 deaths.

"The trend is worrying particularly as awareness of the disease is low among the local community.

"Hence there must be cooperation from all parties to play a role in curbing its spread," he told reporters after launching the national-level Rat Control Campaign at Menggatal town near here today.

He said the ministry was drawing up a guideline for the local authorities to implement in their rat control activities.

Earlier Abdul Rahman said the ministry had allocated more than RM3.2 million for vector control programmes in the country."

India, Gujarat : Leptospirosis claims five more in Surat

Via The Indian Express, excerpt :

" The deadly leptospirosis has claimed five lives in Surat's New Civil Hospital in the past two days, taking the toll to 11.

Every year, monsoon brings fear of an outbreak among farm workers in the state. But this year, it certainly left the health officials in a tizzy. During the monsoon, farm workers run the risk of being affected by the leptospira bacteria that causes leptospirosis, a disease that can turn fatal very fast.

This year, the disease had raised its ugly head a little late, with patients starting to come in for treatment only during the last week of July. While five new suspected patients had been admitted to the hospital recently, the total number of patients who came in this season have reached 50.

The five patients who died have been identified as Rushita Kanu Patel (34), a resident of Upsal village in Vansda taluka of Navsari district, while others are identified as Babu Chaudhary (40), a resident of Ambach village in Tapi district, Sunil Chaudhary (42), a resident of Mandvi taluka in Surat district, Harsingh Chaudhary (45), of Mandvi taluka, and Hitesh Rathod (35), of Palsana taluka in Surat district."

India, Gujarat : Two more die of leptospirosis, toll rises to 5 in state

Article via The Indian Express :

" With two more people dying of leptospirosis at the New Civil Hospital in Surat, the death toll in the past 12 days rose to five, sources said on Monday.

One of the deceased has been identified as Kishan Harpati (40), a resident of Neol village in Palsana taluka of Surat district, while the second patient was Pritesh Patel (35), a resident of Mahuva taluka.

Hospital sources said these patients were undergoing treatment in the EO ward of the hospital for the past few days. Over 35 such patients are undergoing treatment for the disease at the New Civil Hospital. On Sunday night, two more cases of suspected Leptospirosis were detected. Doctors have taken blood samples of both the patients. Their results are awaited.

Surat New Civil Hospital medical superintendent Dr M K Wadhel said, "This year, the impact of leptospirosis is less than that of the last. Health department officials have also carried out an awareness drive in different districts of South Gujarat. This is meant to inform patients about the disease as most of them come to us at a later stage."

Every year, over hundreds of farm labourers die due to leptospirosis in south Gujarat. These labourers work in the field with their bare hands and feet, as a result of which they are easily exposed to the bacteria found in the urine of rats in the fields."

Malaysia : Only 92 PLKN trainees infected with virus - Abdul Rahim

Article via My Sin Chew :

" Only 92 or 0.08 percent of the 117,679 National Service Training Programme (PLKN) trainees were infected with virus, parliament heard today.

Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the cases recorded in 2012 until June 30 were below the safety and health level in PLKN camps nationwide.

"The virus are dengue with 10 cases, measles with 42 cases, leptospirosis with 9 cases and Influenza-like illness (ILI) with 31 cases. Measles and ILI cases were brought from outside when the trainess returned from holiday.

"The infection easily spread as the trainees were in a confined environment. The dengue and leptospirosis infections were caused by the surroundings and weather conditions," he said when replying to a question from Sim Tong Him (DAP-Kota Melaka).

Abdul Rahim said that there were 137 cases of misunderstanding between the trainees, ten cases of missing items in camps and three cases of intrusion by outsiders."

Malaysia : Seven deaths, 122 cases of rat urine infection so far in Kelantan

Via The Malaysian Insider, excerpt :

" There have been 122 cases of rat urine infection (leptospirosis)and seven deaths recorded in Kelantan June 10 this year, showing an increase over 2011 and 2012 figures.

Kelantan director of health Datuk Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher said the number of deaths was the highest since the compulsory reporting of cases was gazetted in December 2010.

"Kota Baru recorded the highest number of cases at 24 this year, followed by Gua Musang (20 cases), Kuala Krai (14) and Pasir Mas (14)," he said in a statement in Kota Baru today.

Ahmad Razin said 20% of the cases involved those aged 13 to 19, and 60% were between 20 and 55 years old.

In 2011, only one death was reported out of 276 cases, and last year, four deaths out of 186 cases.

Bernama reported yesterday that Sheikh Mohd Alif Sheikh Mohd Fauzi, 17, a student of Maahad Tahfiz Darul Anuar, Pulau Melaka, who went camping at Bukit Bakar in Machang last month, died on Tuesday due to leptospirosis.

Referring to the case, Ahmad Razin said 285 students and 20 teachers from the school attended the camp at the Bukit Bakar Recreational Forest from May 14-16."

Canada : Vancouver rats carry disease that can infect humans

Article via The Vancouver Sun :

" A groundbreaking study shows some rats in the Downtown Eastside are carrying a bacterial disease that can infect humans and, in severe cases, lead to kidney failure, bleeding in the lungs and meningitis.

The first results from the study, published Thursday in the journal PLoS ONE, found rats trapped over the course of one year tested positive for leptospirosis, a disease that mostly causes flu-like symptoms in humans and is commonly found in developing countries.

The results are the first definitive findings to come out of the Vancouver Rat Project, a three-year study helmed by Abbotsford-based researcher Dr. Chelsea Himsworth that aims to fill a knowledge gap about the characteristics of local rats, the pathogens they carry and the potential crossover to humans.

“There’s never been a comprehensive study of rats on any subject in Canada. Ever,” explains Himsworth, a veterinarian completing her PhD through the University of B.C.’s school of population and public health.

With a specialty in neglected zoonotic risks —diseases that spread from animals to humans — in urban centres, Himsworth embarked on the Vancouver Rat Project in 2011 to fill what she sees as a blind spot in the scientific research community.

“It really fascinates me that when you actually look into the scientific literature, we know a lot more about elephants and whales and grizzly bears than we do about rats,” she says.

Himsworth attributes that fact to the failure of the parasitic rodents to capture our collective imagination, in spite, or perhaps because of, their proximity to us."

Leptospirosis in Peru

Via CDC, excerpt :

" What Is the Current Situation? 

Flooding has caused an outbreak of leptospirosis in Peru, especially in the Loreto region. This is the worst flooding seen in this area for over 20 years. Peru has reported more than 300 cases and 3 deaths associated with leptospirosis thus far in 2012. Health authorities have alerted people to take precautions against the infection.

What Is Leptospirosis? 

Leptospirosis is a disease that is spread by animal urine. People become infected with the disease when they come in contact with body fluids of infected animals or in contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with infected urine. Leptospirosis is a hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals. The disease has also been associated with swimming, wading, kayaking, and rafting in contaminated lakes and rivers. Symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash. Some people do not experience symptoms. This disease can cause kidney or liver failure and/or meningitis (swelling of the tissue covering the brain). Without treatment, recovery can take several months. Leptospirosis occurs throughout the world, especially in regions with flooding. Leptospirosis occurs more often in tropical areas. Urban areas lacking sanitation may also have a higher risk of leptospirosis."

Malaysia : All water training at PLKN camps suspended

Via The Borneo Post :

" All water training at National Service Training Centres (PLKN) nationwide have been suspended following the death of a trainee at the Terkok camp in Sungai Siput, Perak on March 12.

The trainee’s death is believed to have been due to the Leptospirosis virus caused by rat urine.

The immediately effective directive was issued by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said National Service Training Programme Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kecil in a statement here Friday.

He said the minister also decided to postpone the second group of trainees for the 9/2012 series until the situation was certified safe by the Health Ministry."

Malaysia : NS trainee dies of rat urine disease

Via The Star :

" A national service trainee at Terkok Camp in Lintang here has died of suspected leptospirosis (rat urine disease).

R. Vinoth, 18, from Shah Alam, Selangor died at around 11.30pm on Monday at the Sungai Siput Hospital where he was admitted on Sunday.

His father, S Raman, said the family was not happy with the post mortem carried out on the body and had asked for another examination to be done by a specialist.

Sungai Siput OCPD Supt Azman Salim confirmed that a student at the camp had died."

Fiji : Ministry to focus on health matters

Via The Fiji Times :

" THE Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation will address the issue of the welfare of women during natural disasters.

This follows the report that four of the seven deaths during the recent flood were women who died of leptospirosis.

Presenting at the 56th session of United Nations Commission on Status of Women, Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni said that the health and safety of women needed to be addressed as most women were represented in disaster management committees."

Philippines : Leptospirosis hits 179 Iloilo residents

Article via ABS-CBN, excerpt :

" Health officials recorded a total of 179 cases of leptospirosis in Iloilo for the first two months of the year.

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office said leptospirosis cases are up by 251%. Data showed that there were 179 cases recorded in the province from January 1 to February 25, compared to the same period last year with 51.

Four individuals died from the infection, which is caused by direct exposure to bacteria found in animal urine and feces.

The highest number of cases was reported in Cabatuan town with 58."

Fiji : Ministry reports new cases

Via Fiji Village :

" There are now 31 cases of typhoid, 39 cases of leptospirosis and 22 cases of dengue fever reported by the health ministry to date.

Spokesperson Peni Namotu said these cases were reported from the Western Division.

Namotu said this has increased with the fourteen case of typhoid from the Naitasiri settlement in Ba and Koroboya in Tavua which are under public health emergency declaration."

Fiji : Statistics not alarming-Health Ministry

Article via Fiji Village :

" There are now 20 confirmed cases of typhoid, 27 cases of leptospirosis and 4 cases of dengue fever from the Western division from January 25th to date.

Health Ministry spokesperson, Peni Namotu said there are more suspected cases and they can only comment on those after the lab tests.

So far the Commissioner Western, Commander Joeli Cawaki has said that a Lautoka woman has died from dengue fever and two people from Ba have died after getting leptospirosis.

However Namotu said these are suspected cases.

Namotu also stressed that the number of cases has not reached an alarming level to declare an outbreak."

Philippines : Capitol keeps eye on leptospirosis, dengue

Via Sun Star :

" THE Iloilo Provincial Government warned the public against the rise of leptospirosis and dengue cases in the province.

The number was noted in the monitoring of the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Pesu) of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Socorro Quiñon said that from January 1-28, 2012, the Provincial Government has already recorded 63 cases of leptospirosis with three confirmed deaths -- one from Janiuay and two from Cabatuan.

She said that for the same period last year, only 15 leptospirosis cases were recorded.

For dengue fever, Pesu recorded 22 cases for the period of January 1-28, 2012, with two deaths -- one from Leon and the other one from Pavia.

Quiñon said the same number was recorded in the same period last year but with only one death."

Philippines : DOH notes 616 suspected lepstospirosis cases in region 10

Via PIA :

" A total of 616 suspected Leptospirosis cases have been recorded in region 10 as of Jan. 13, this year.

Reports reaching the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) of region 10 from the Health Cluster of the Post Sendong Operations, show that the municipalities/cities with the most suspected cases were Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and the municipalities of Opol, Tagoloan and Villanueva, all of Misamis Oriental."

Philippines : Leptospirosis deaths rise, 21 deaths recorded in 'Sendong' aftermath

Via GMA News :

" Cases of leptospirosis in areas affected by Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) continued to rise, with 616 cases having been recorded so far. A total of 21 deaths have been recorded, officials said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Tuesday that of the 616 cases recorded as of Monday, 21 were fatal.

"As of 23 January 2012, different hospitals in Cagayan de Oro, Opol, Tagoloan, and Villanueva in Misamis Oriental and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte recorded a total of 616 cases of leptospirosis, 21 of which were fatalities," the NDRRMC said in its report.

It also said acute respiratory infections, diarrhea and fever remain the most common health concerns in evacuation centers.

Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities were among the hardest hit areas in the wake of Sendong, which devastated Mindanao and the Visayas in mid-December. The NDRRMC said Sendong left 1,257 dead and 6,071 injured, with 182 reported missing."

Fiji : Lepto alert

Via The Fiji Times :

" THE Lautoka Hospital attended to two new cases of leptospirosis last week.

As a result, a fresh warning has been issued to the public about the threat posed by the illness which claimed 10 lives last year.

Hospital acting medical consultant Dr Simione Voceduadua confirmed the two patients were treated and sent home.

He said the wet weather condition could hasten the spread of the illness via contaminated water.

"This time last year many people were treated with leptospirosis. Unfortunately, some died," said Dr Voceduadua.

"Leptospirosis is much more dangerous than typhoid and people must visit the hospital should they have symptoms.

"We need to be vigilant of the places we visit and watch out for contaminated water."

Dr Voceduadua said domestic animals must also be well looked after since the illness was spread from animal waste."