The prevalence of severe leptospirosis among humans on Barbados

Abstract

Leptospirosis was confirmed by the Leptospira Laboratory in 138 hospital patients on Barbados between early November 1979 and the end of 1982 (annual average 43·6 cases). These were the great majority of severe cases occurring on the island during that time. The crude incidence rate ranged between 15 and 23 per 100,000 population per year (average 17·6). 26 of the patients died (15 males, 11 females), giving an over-all case fatality rate of 18·8%, and an average of 8·2 deaths per year. 68% of all cases were in males. The highest percentages of cases were in males aged 20 to 24 and females aged 55 to 59, but the incidence of the disease in both sexes increased with age up to 60 years.