MANAGUA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua's Health Minister Maritza Cuan said Thursday that 10 people have been killed by leptospira, a disease-causing bacteria, in some regions of this Central American country, despite the fact that this type of epidemic cases has decreased.
By Thursday some 2,700 leptospira cases had been reported in the western and northern regions, and the capital Managua, Cuan said while visiting public hospitals here.
Cuan made the visit after patients complained of a lack of attention and medicine to fight leptospirosis and dengue.
"Public hospitals must be ready for any dengue outbreak in Nicaragua, although we are more prepared to face the leptospirosis outbreak," Cuan said.
Leptospira is an illness prevailing in tropical countries and can be transmitted to human beings by a bacteria present in rat urine. It coexists with cows, pigs, cats, horses and dogs and has spread in Nicaragua due to constant rainfall.
Symptoms of leptospira include nasal hemorrhage, muscular aches, high fever, coughing and intense headaches.
