NewsWhore
09-13-2010, 03:20 PM
Over the last four weeks 122 new cases of leptospirosis have been diagnosed and so far this year there have been 34 fatalities as a result of the illness. According to recent statistics published by the Ministry of Public Health Epidemiology Department, there have been 584 suspected cases, a 3% increase over last year. So far, the laboratory has confirmed 89 cases and the presence of the infection in 27 of the 32 provinces. Most cases are from the National District, Santiago, Santo Domingo province, Montecristi and Puerto Plata. Leptospirosis, which is caused by bacteria, affects both humans and animals. It is contagious, and can be spread by contact through open wounds or the mouth coming into contact with objects dirtied by the urine, blood or skin of infected animals or humans. Animals with the bacteria contaminate the areas where they urinate, making damp ground, rice paddies, canals and standing pools of water potential areas of infection.
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