Health officials yesterday warned of a possible outbreak of leptospirosis if the authorities do not move swiftly to clean up garbage left behind by Hurricane Dean, in order to control the rats.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Minister of Health, Rudyard Spencer, Dr. Ernest Pate, Pan American Health Organisation representative said the garbage strewn on the streets had resulted in overgrown rats.

But the Ministry of Health and Environment said it was doing everything it could to mitigate an outbreak of the disease.

An infection in rodents

According to the World Health Organisation, leptospirosis is an infection in rodents and other wild and domesticated species. Rodents are implicated most often in human cases. The infection in man is contracted through skin abrasions and the mucosa of the nose, mouth and eyes. Exposure to water contaminated by urine from infected animals is the most common medium of infection.

Concerned

The Health Minister said he was concerned about the large number of rats that are running about.

"It is frightening. I have seen many (rats) in New Kingston (as) huge as cats," he said.

Mr. Spencer added, "I think we need to move on it in earnest before it becomes an epidemic because we are seeing more and more cases (of leptospirosis)."

Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester, chief medical officer of health, told The Gleaner that the ministry has had reports of leptospirosis. However, she was unable to confirm the number of cases.

Kamal Knight, the son of former parliamentarian, K.D Knight, died of the disease, on Tuesday.