Dominican officials concerned about increase in leptospirosis deaths

An outbreak of the waterborne disease leptospirosis has killed 19 people and sickened more than 130 others in communities flooded by Tropical Storm Noel, the Dominican health minister said Saturday.

Bautista Rojas Gomez said dozens of people remain in hospitals with symptoms related to leptospirosis, which spreads through exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

"The situation is serious but you can't call it an epidemic, rather an outbreak," he told The Associated Press as he visited hospitals in the capital.

Health officials fear an increase in cases because rains keep pounding the country one month after Noel killed 87 people and displaced about 70,000 here.

Rojas urged people with symptoms including fever, headaches and severe muscle pain to seek help immediately.

Leptospirosis is mainly carried by rats, but also can be found in cats, dogs and cows. The infectious disease is usually contracted through cuts in the skin.