NewsWhore
11-16-2007, 03:10 PM
The Public Health Ministry has declared a red alert throughout the country due to the increase in leptospirosis cases. Eight people have died in the last week, and a total of 49 cases have been reported, according to Diario Libre. Health Minister Bautista Rojas advised doctors to treat incoming patients with penicillin. Also, the authorities plan to fumigate the Ozama River bank and surrounding areas. At the Luis Eduardo Aybar hospital, Dr. Rafael Espaillat said that he was treating 28 patients with five different strains of leptospirosis. Espaillat says that most of the patients worked in the recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Noel, or live in slum areas or near flooded rivers. Tourist areas, which were not affected by Noel, are not considered to be at risk, although visitors should take care not to swim in rivers near affected areas. The alert was issued so to make the public aware of leptospirosis, as it can be confused with the common cold. It is not fatal when diagnosed early. Symptoms to look out for include yellowing of skin and eyes, and muscle pain.
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm)
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www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)