Deadly bacterial outbreak worsens in post-hurricane Jamaica
Cayman health officials are warning travellers to and from Jamaica about a deadly leptospirosis outbreak on that island as it recovers from last month’s devastating Hurricane Melissa.
Jamaican authorities first declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease, often spread through rat urine and commonly found in contaminated floodwaters after storms, on 21 Nov..
At a press briefing on 27 Nov., Jamaica’s Principal Medical Officer and National Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Karen Webster-Kerr said, “We have had 14 leptospirosis-related deaths, six of which have been confirmed, four pre-Melissa and 10 post-Melissa, with six confirmed cases all being from post-Melissa.” For a more complete summary of the story, please see the below link:
Published on: Nov 28, 2025 12:15 PM