O Ma R's Report
Tuesday, November 24, 1998
Today we attended a medical conference that was held in the public hospital Mario Catarino Rivas of San Pedro Sula. This talk concerned the recent outbreak of various cases of "leptospirosis". It basically is a bacteria that has proliferated in the mud and water left by Hurricane Mitch. It's human transmission is primarily via rat urine, but also through other animals including domestic pets. This bacteria has now contaminated the water and mud in flooded areas. It also has the characteristic that it can seep into a person's blood through the skin. Exposure is even quicker when the victim already has sores obtained from fungi in the mud. At least five people have died from this illness which produces symptoms similar to that of dengue fever; including muscle aches, vomiting, diarrea, yellowing of the skin and even conjunctivitis.
Apparently there does exist a vaccine against this disease, but it is unavailable in Honduras. Thousands of people in Honduras have probably been exposed to this bacteria since they spent a long time in contaminated flood waters and mud. When treated early, the disease is not fatal. Unfortunately many people will not seek medical attention until it is too late. Treatment consists of two tablets of "doxiciclina" a week taken for six weeks. The conference was used to educate medical personnel and the media concerning this disease that Hurricane Mitch has spread throughout the country via contaminated flood water.
It is our belief that this is only the beginning of various epidemic outbreaks that will occur in the unsanitary conditions left by Mitch. Other possible outbreaks include the mosquito transmited diseases of dengue and malaria, as well as other diseases.
According to the Regional Emergency Command (CODER) authorities, the reports concerning possible corruption in both San Marcos de Colon and Trujillo are false rumors and can be attributed to possible political posturing. We have followed with interest the case in San Pedro Sula of the official who had a truck load of goodies magically disappear. Reportedly it occurred at one am on a Sunday, when the normal CODER officials were off duty. This odd hour and few witnesses have seriously hampered the investigation. In today's quest for information, we contacted the Public Ministry's Commission Against Corruption, where Lic. Erasmo Jimenez has promised to assist our Internet reporting efforts by providing a report of present cases and their status. Many of these cases involve price alterations during Hurricane Mitch. In other words, an unauthorized increase in consumer goods' prices during the emergency.
Information on Leptospirosis.
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