By EFE
The Puerto Rico Department of Health issued an alert on Monday about the disease leptospirosis and said it is investigating seven suspected cases on the island due to the floods caused by Hurricane Fiona a week ago.
The seven suspected cases identified so far are under investigation and awaiting results but,
as it is a lethal disease
, all patients began antibiotic treatment.
These are four men and three women between the ages of 10 and 69, who were detected in the regions of Bayamón, Metro, Ponce, Caguas and Mayagüez, according to the statement from the health authorities.
“Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause
serious health conditions in the kidneys, liver, meningitis, difficulty breathing and bleeding
.
It is a disease that could be lethal, "said the Secretary of Health, Carlos Mellado.
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The secretary insisted that citizens should mainly stay away from polluted waters.
Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect people who come into contact with water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
Last Monday, September 19, a notice about the disease was shared with all health centers and a guide for managing patient cases.
The first symptoms of the disease include: fever, headache, muscle aches, red eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), rash and cough.
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Some Health recommendations to avoid getting leptospirosis are
not to walk, swim, bathe or swallow flood water or any body of water that may be contaminated
with animal urine.
It is also advisable to cover skin cuts with waterproof bandages, not to walk barefoot, not to use flood water to clean the house or wash clothes, and to keep food and garbage in closed containers.
Along with other catastrophic damage, Fiona left many areas of Puerto Rico flooded and caused cuts in the supply of drinking water, which has encouraged the population to resort to unsuitable water.