Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis — suspected of causing six deaths — in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which battered the island in late October.
The Category 5 hurricane struck Jamaica on October 28, unleashing catastrophic flooding and landslides after dumping nearly 30 inches (76 cm) of rain. The extensive flooding left behind stagnant, contaminated water, creating ideal conditions for the spread of leptospirosis, health officials said.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced on Friday that nine cases of the disease have been confirmed between October 30 and November 20, with 28 additional suspected cases still under investigation.
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria present in water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals — particularly rodents. The infection can enter the human body through cuts on the skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Early symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and headache resemble the flu, but the illness can quickly progress to severe complications including kidney failure, liver damage, meningitis, and internal bleeding, making it potentially fatal.
“The outbreak follows the passage of the storm which has created conditions that have increased the risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil,” Tufton said at a press conference.
He warned that anyone exposed to floodwaters is at heightened risk, including farmers, cleanup crews, emergency responders, and residents navigating inundated areas.
Hurricane Melissa caused an estimated $10 billion in damages, crippling Jamaica’s tourism and agriculture sectors and damaging nearly 200,000 buildings, according to government assessments.
Melissa: Jamaica’s Strongest Hurricane on Record
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in western Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, becoming the strongest hurricane ever recorded to hit the Caribbean island of 2.8 million people.
The storm came ashore near New Hope, approximately 62 km (39 miles) south of Montego Bay, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Category 5 storms — the highest rating on the Saffir-Simpson scale — require wind speeds of at least 157 mph, underscoring the historic strength of Melissa.
