Argentina: Leptospirosis cases confirmed in the town of Pasco, Córdoba province

The Ministry of Health of the Province of Córdoba, through the Department of Zoonoses of The Directorate of Epidemiology Jurisdiction confirmed this week two cases of leptospirosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans, which may be present in the urine of animals such as rodents, dogs, cows, pigs, horses and wild animals.

Following the notification of a suspected case of leptospirosis, another patient was identified with similar symptoms, work-related, and who had died weeks ago.

These are two male people, aged 51 and 63, from the town of Pasco, General San Martín department. The cases were treated in different health centers, both required hospitalization, one of them (51 years old) died and the other remains hospitalized with respiratory assistance.

From the epidemiological investigation it was learned that both carried out tasks in a dairy farm from the same town, carrying out milking activities and handling other animals like pigs and sheep. Investigations continue to establish the origin of the infection.

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Leptospirosis transmission occurs by direct contact with the urine of an infected animal, or by ingestion of food or water contaminated with said urine. Since the bacteria survives in moist places protected from light, the risk of contracting it increases in places that have these conditions or in floods.

In most cases, fever, headache, muscle aches and malaise occur. In some cases it progresses to a serious, potentially fatal disease.

Undersecretary of Health Strategies and Access to Health, Laura Raquel López said, “The symptoms of this disease may initially resemble those of influenza or dengue.

“Early consultation and timely treatment are extremely important to reduce the risks of presenting severe forms.”