Owners losing animals to leptospirosis

With the health sector battling an outbreak of leptospirosis in humans following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, veterinarians say they are being forced to put down a growing number of infected animals after the storm's heavy flooding.

As of November 27, the Ministry of Health and Wellness had confirmed 14 leptospirosis-related human deaths, with six confirmed. Nearly 40 of those cases surfaced after Melissa passed on October 28. St James, St Ann and St Elizabeth are the most affected parishes. Pamela Lawson, head of the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), said the outbreak comes as no surprise based on what her team is seeing on the ground.

"What affects man can affect beast and vice versa. We are putting down animals for lepto right now, and if we see too many cases in the animals, we know the humans are being affected," she said. Lawson explained that rats remain the most common vector.

"It is passed through bodily fluids [like] blood, urine [and] saliva. If you have tin goods you need to be wiping them off with even a drop of bleach water because the transfer of their fluids makes you susceptible," she warned.

"If rats go into your food source, I know it's hard, but you have to protect yourselves. They urinate on everything they come in contact with."

The storm's aftermath has left animals especially across western Jamaica struggling.

"A lot of farmers have complained that their animals are not doing well. They're showing the signs of leptospirosis. People are still losing a lot of livestock even after Hurricane Melissa. Is it because there's no shelter? No shade? I don't know -- because these animals are being disposed of. That is the key issue. We need to know, when they type it, what exactly we are dealing with."

Lawson questioned how many more deaths from the illness have not yet been confirmed.

"We're waiting for testing [and] waiting for typing. Is it bovine? Is it canine? We need to know the type so we can focus vaccinations properly for that species, or if we have to vaccinate all animals. And at the same time, the medical profession must be prepared for the increase in human cases," she said.

Other veterinarians told THE STAR that they are now seeing more advanced cases in dogs, goats, and pigs since the storm. One travelling vet, who cares for companion animals, said this is the worst he has ever seen.

"I've never seen so many cases of leptospirosis in animals since the storm and it's heartbreaking for the owners to put them down," he said. "Once it gets to a point where you detect that it's lepto, then we have to put them down."

Lawson said most of the cases the JSPCA is treating are canine, while urging Jamaicans to act fast.

"Vaccination will be key in restoring our health and our animals. Owners should pay close attention to symptoms and act immediately. Look for jaundice, dark-coloured urine, loss of appetite, depression."

"Do not handle that animal with your bare hands. Wear gloves and isolate it. Then report the case to a veterinary services officer or RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority) so the right precautions can follow," she added.