Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete

The Health Ministry is working to ensure there’s sufficient medication at health facilities to treat people with leptospirosis.

This comes after an outbreak of leptospirosis cases was declared in the Central division last month after recording over 60 cases and four deaths.

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria that affects both humans and animals and humans get leptospirosis through contact with the urine of infected animals.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has confirmed 98 cases have been recorded as of January 1st.

“We have been issuing guidelines, making sure there is enough medicines around and also making sure that our doctors and our front line staff have a high in depth of suspicion.”

Recent heavy rains and flooding are likely to have contributed to the increase in cases in the Central Division.

Animals that may spread the disease through their infected urine include; rats, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, horses and mongooses.

Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.

Early treatment with antibiotics administered by a doctor is key to preventing complications and deaths.