Sanitation workers and cane cutters sensitised on leptospirosis

Sanitation workers assigned to the Western Parks and Market's Waste Management Limited in Westmoreland should now be better able to protect themselves against leptospirosis following a recent sensitisation session by the Westmoreland Public Health Department.

Gerald Miller, the health promotion and education officer at the health department, told the Jamaica Information Service that the session was aimed at educating the sanitation workers on how to protect themselves against contracting leptospirosis. The infectious diseases, which is commonly spread by rats, is caused by Leptospira bacteria, which can potentially lead to fatal infection of the kidney, liver, brain, lungs or heart. The other carriers include cattle, pigs, horses, dogs and wild animals.

"We reminded them (sanitation workers) of the importance of wearing their protective gear, and particularly their gloves, to safeguard themselves from the possibility of contracting leptospirosis," said Miller, who noted that the workers were very receptive to what was an interactive session. Workers were also given flyers containing pertinent information about leptospirosis prevention. According to Miller, sugar workers at the Pan Caribbean Sugar Factory in Frome, also in Westmoreland, were also given a leptospirosis sensitisation session.

"The factory facilitated the interaction. It was a good one. We spoke about leptospirosis and how they can protect themselves while they are cutting the cane," said Miller. "Some of the cane cutters are not from Westmoreland; they are from other parishes, which was good. We didn't get all of them, but plans are in place to go back in short order to sensitise the others."

The symptoms of leptospirosis range from the sudden onset of high fever, severe head and muscle aches, chills, vomiting and jaundice to abdominal pain, diarrhoea and rash. The disease, if detected quickly, can be cured using antibiotics.