Jamaica faces deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa, health officials report multiple deaths and cases

Jamaican health authorities have declared an outbreak of leptospirosis following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island as a Category 5 storm on October 28, 2025.

The Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, confirmed six suspected deaths linked to the bacterial infection and reported nine confirmed cases, with an additional 28 suspected or probable cases documented between October 30 and November 20, 2025.

“Whether it is the public health inspectors on the ground, the supporting agencies of other Government Ministries, the private sector, and of course PAHO, it’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, and we will pull through this,” he added.


Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread primarily through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals such as rodents. The flooding and widespread water contamination caused by Hurricane Melissa created ideal conditions for the bacteria to proliferate, increasing the exposure risk for residents across multiple parishes, notably St. James, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, and Hanover.

Dr. Karen Webster Kerr, Jamaica's national epidemiologist, noted a sharp rise in cases compared to previous years. While Jamaica typically saw two to 21 leptospirosis cases per month from 2023 through October 2025, the current outbreak has already produced 35 cases in November alone, underscoring the significant public health challenge posed by the post-hurricane environmental conditions.

The highest concentration of cases has been reported in St. James parish with 17 suspected and confirmed infections and two deaths, followed by St. Ann with six cases, St. Elizabeth with four cases including one death, and Hanover, which recorded three cases and two deaths.

Men in their 20s constitute the majority of those affected, with all recorded fatalities so far occurring in males.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie highlighted that the risk now extends beyond traditional vulnerable groups such as farmers. Individuals involved in cleanup efforts, emergency responders, and those traversing flooded areas are now at elevated risk of contracting the disease, making widespread public education and preventive measures vital.

Jamaican authorities have mobilized a coordinated response involving cleanup operations, distribution of cleaning agents, deployment of diagnostic resources including over 5,600 PCR tests and numerous point-of-care testing sites, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the spread of leptospirosis.

Hospitals across the country are equipped with antibiotics and necessary treatment supplies.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has engaged in supporting Jamaica’s public health response by providing technical expertise and laboratory support to assist in diagnosis and containment efforts.

Hurricane Melissa caused extensive destruction across Jamaica, with an estimated $10 billion in damages, impacting agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure, exacerbating health risks related to disease outbreaks including leptospirosis, tetanus, and dengue fever.

Health officials continue to urge residents to avoid contact with floodwaters, practice good hygiene, seek early medical attention for symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, chills, and jaundice, and participate in community efforts to reduce rodent populations and improve sanitation.