January 1, Deadly Disease Hits Jamaica After Hurricane Chaos

Wyatt’s Take

• Jamaica is facing a deadly outbreak right after a massive hurricane.
• Officials blame the dangerous bacteria on the flooding and tainted water left behind.
• Health warnings go out to folks working or living near the floodwaters.

Jamaica is battling an outbreak of leptospirosis after Hurricane Melissa hammered the island at the end of October. Officials report that at least six people have died, with more cases likely as flooding lingers.

The storm dumped close to 30 inches of rain, leading to floods and mudslides that left pools of dirty, stagnant water. Health Minister Christopher Tufton shared that between October 30 and November 20, there were nine confirmed cases and 28 suspected ones of the disease.

Leptospirosis spreads when people come into contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, mostly rodents. Cuts, eyes, nose, or mouth are all ways the bacteria can get into the body.

The first symptoms—fever, headache, and muscle aches—look like the flu. But if left unchecked, the illness can cause organ damage and even kill.

“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 floodwater—including farmers, cleanup crews, and emergency responders—is at higher risk.

Officials say Hurricane Melissa did $10 billion in damage, hammering tourism and agriculture and destroying nearly 200,000 buildings.

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Wyatt Matters

Storms like these leave everyday people picking up the pieces, facing threats most folks halfway around the world never hear about. It’s a good reminder that strong communities and clear heads get us through when disaster strikes.

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