FPJ explains: BMC warns of spike in Leptospirosis cases; know its symptoms and prevention here

FPJ explains: BMC warns of spike in Leptospirosis cases; know its symptoms and prevention here

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Sunday, June 13, 2021, 11:07 AM IST
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FPJ explains: BMC warns of spike in Leptospirosis cases; know its symptoms and prevention here | PTI

Soon after the rains hit Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an advisory warning about a bacterial disease known as leptospirosis and requested people who were drenched recently to look out for symptoms of the disease.

What is Leptospirosis ?

Leptospirosis is a rare bacterial disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. The disease produces flu-like symptoms in infected persons and is not life-threatening in most cases. However, severe cases often require hospitalization and the disease can prove to be lethal if untreated.

How is Leptospirosis caused?

The disease is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogans. The organism is found in the kidneys of many animals and generally enters the soil through their urine. Humans can get infected by the disease if they come in direct contact with urine from contaminated animals.

Although it is unlikely to contract the disease from another human, people who spend a lot of time around animals or even outdoors are at a higher risk of being infected.

What are its symptoms?

People infected with the disease may experience high fever, headache, bleeding, muscle pain, chills, red eyes and vomiting among other symptoms.

The signs usually begin to appear within 2 weeks. However, in some cases, it might take a month or not show at all.

If not treated, the disease can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.

How can it be treated?

If identified early, the disease can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin. However, for persons showing severe symptoms hospitalisation may be mandated and the antibiotics would need to be injected.

How can it be prevented?

According to officials, people are more likely to get infected with the disease if they wade through waterlogged roads or walk without wearing gumboots

In case people do happen to walk through the stagnant water, they should wash their arms and legs thoroughly with soap and water.

Health experts have also advised people against ignoring symptoms and asked them to consult a doctor or visit a nearby dispensary immediately.

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