The Health Ministry is targeting a fifty per cent reduction in leptospirosis cases by 2020.
Communicable Diseases advisor, Dr Mike Kama says there is a high morbidity and mortality rate, when compared to other communicable diseases.
“This is the larger framework that we working from, however the activities are quite specific. There is research basis in it and hopefully certain policies will also be derived from this in order to sustain whatever protocols we have designated to lower the risks – the activity that is need to be conducted to lower the risk of leptospirosis transmission in our community.”
An average of 420 laboratory confirmed cases and 42 deaths have been reported annually from 2012 to 2014.
Dr Kama says an Action Plan is being developed to enhance early detections and improve the clinical management of leptospirosis cases.
Leptospirosis is an infectious bacterial disease that occurs in rodents, dogs, and other mammals and can be transmitted to humans.
The early stages of the disease may include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills and redness in the eyes.
