Title; Health planning and management of Leptospirosis in Vanuatu; The
Role of the government and the global community
Abstract
Introduction: Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacterium
in the genus Leptospira which is carried and transmitted by animals,
thus making it a zoonotic disease. Leptospirosis is more commonly seen
in the tropics and in people who work outdoors or with animals.
Aim: This present article aimed to equip the government of
Vanuatu and the global community on the proper health planning and
management of leptospirosis in Vanuatu. And also to bring leptospirosis
to public light in Vanuatu so that appropriate government and private
bodies in the country can put more resources towards eradicating the
disease. Methodology: In writing this article, peer-reviewed
scientific articles obtained from PubMed, ResearchGate and Google
Scholar databases were consulted. We synthesised our findings and
engaged in a discussion emphasising the urgent need for global health
attention and collaborative efforts to mitigate the rising cases of
leptospirosis in Vanuatu. Result: We found an increase in
leptospirosis cases in Vanuatu from January to March 2023. As of 31
March 2023, 8 new Leptospirosis cases were recorded from 23 March to 30
March 2023. As a result of this, a total of 51 leptospirosis cases have
been recorded since January 2023. One death was reported during the last
week of March 2023, with a total of 6 deaths. Conclusion: To
halt the spread of leptospirosis in Vanuatu, a multi-pronged strategy
must be devised by the government of Vanuatu, including various
stakeholders in Vanuatu as well as international bodies, governmental
officials, the medical communities, and public health scholars in the
world.