It spreads through the urine and droppings of rats. When people walk through contaminated water, the bacteria can enter the body, especially if there are cuts or wounds.
Mumbai: Heavy rainfall over the past three days has severely disrupted daily life in the city, and doctors warn that health problems are likely to follow. Along with dengue and malaria, special attention is needed this year to prevent leptospirosis. Municipal health officials have advised Mumbaikars: “Do not wade through stagnant rainwater.”
Continuous downpours have left several low-lying areas waterlogged. Many citizens can be seen wading through these flooded streets, while some even swim in the rainwater. However, such stagnant water significantly increases the risk of contracting leptospirosis — a potentially fatal infectious disease.
The disease is spread through the urine and droppings of rats. When people walk through contaminated water, the bacteria can enter the body, especially if there are cuts or wounds on the skin.
Symptoms and Risks
Leptospirosis symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, vomiting, and jaundice. In some cases, it can lead to kidney or liver failure. Without timely treatment, the infection may even prove fatal.
