Leptospirosis: a review of the Jamaican experience compared with other Caribbean territories

ABSTRACT

A review of the current literature relating to leptospirosis and its recent increased incidence in Jamaica has been undertaken. The data up to 1979 revealed that the greatest number of cases occurred in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Catherine and Manchester. A more recent report, however, has shown that the largest number of cases came from the western parishes. Leptospirosis is an occupational hazard for field and factory workers, and these occupational groups demonstrated the highest incidence of the disease. Control of leptospirosis involves treatment of affected cases and attempts at eliminating carriers (AU)