Weil's Disease Germ cause of Eight Deaths in the Meknes Region, Health department
Morocco, Health, 10/16/2004

All clinical signs and the first biological analyses regarding the death of eight people, in Moussaouia district, 30 km of Meknes, out of a grey rat transmitted disease show the disease was caused by the leptospirosis-ictero-hemorragic germ (Weil's disease).

The health ministry explained the infectious disease is transmitted by the grey rat to man by direct contact to the rodent urine or tissue or contaminated water or soil. Its symptoms are severe fever, hepatitis with jaundice and haemorrhage. The Eight people died following symptoms of fever, nausea and icterus, the Moroccan health ministry said. The health department said 26 other persons showed the same symptoms. Seven of them were hospitalized on October 12-13 in Mohammed V Hospital in Meknes where they are still under health care. The conditions of other patients have improved and the situation is under control, said the same source. A special medical team went Monday to Moussaouia to find out the reasons of the death of the eight persons and to seek eventual cases that were not declared. Prophylactic measures have been taken, said the health ministry, noting that medical tests have been conducted on inhabitants of Moussaouia, who were also sensitized about the situation.

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