Westmoreland Health Officials Warn Against Floodwater Exposure Amid Leptospirosis Risk

Health authorities in Westmoreland are appealing to residents to stay out of floodwater and to ensure children do not enter flooded spaces, as the parish works to limit possible cases of leptospirosis after days of heavy rain.

Gerald Miller, Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, told JIS News that steady showers in recent days have left several low-lying and flood-prone communities under water. He said those conditions can put residents in contact with organisms that may lead to serious illness.

Miller said he remains worried that, even with repeated public education, some people still walk through floodwater or allow children to play in it. He noted that many residents treat the behaviour as routine whenever heavy rain affects their communities.

“We just want to remind the residents of how serious it is and the public health consequences of them contracting leptospirosis by means of walking or playing, and especially children taking off their shoes and walking in these floodwaters,” he outlined.

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria and is often passed to humans through water polluted by the urine of infected animals, with rats among the main carriers. The bacteria can get into the body through broken skin, including cuts and scrapes, or through the eyes, nose and mouth.

According to Miller, the Westmoreland Public Health Department has been using several interviews, along with print and social media channels, to alert residents to the dangers of floodwater exposure. He said people should understand that any contact with contaminated water can place them at risk.

He also stressed that dangerous bacteria cannot be identified by sight, so residents cannot know simply by looking whether floodwater is unsafe.

Miller called on community leaders, health advocates and other stakeholders to help share the warning across the parish, in an effort to stop any increase in leptospirosis infections.

He said the department saw positive results from public education work done after Hurricane Melissa and will continue taking early action to safeguard residents.

“We want the people of the parish to remain healthy and not place the hospital under unnecessary stress because of preventable diseases,” Miller said.