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Hurricane Melissa Triggers Deadly Leptospirosis Outbreak in Jamaica

11/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

Six people in Jamaica have died from leptospirosis after Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28.
Public health authorities reported 37 leptospirosis cases, with nine confirmed by lab tests.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton warned many more cases are likely due to outages.
Hurricane Melissa was a category 5 storm that caused at least 45 fatalities and damaged 146,000 structures.
Leptospirosis is spread through rat urine and can cause kidney and liver failure.

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Story summary

Six people in Jamaica have died from leptospirosis after Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28.
Public health authorities reported 37 leptospirosis cases, with nine confirmed by lab tests.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton warned many more cases are likely due to outages.
Hurricane Melissa was a category 5 storm that caused at least 45 fatalities and damaged 146,000 structures.
Leptospirosis is spread through rat urine and can cause kidney and liver failure.