India: Kerala state reports leptospirosis surge
According to the Kerala Health Department, from January 1 to October 4, 2024, a total of 2,512 people have been diagnosed with leptospirosis.
The disease has caused 155 confirmed deaths to date.
Concerning suspected cases, 1,979 people sought treatment for symptoms related to the illness. Similarly, 131 deaths suspected to be caused by leptospirosis symptoms were also reported.
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According to the CDC, Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria. Infected animals spread the bacteria through their urine (pee). When infected animals pee, the bacteria get into the water or soil and can live there for weeks to months.
You can be infected if you touch fresh water, soil, or other objects contaminated with infected animal urine. The most common ways to get infected is urine or contaminated water getting in your eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin (such as a cut or scratch). You can also get infected by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
Some people with leptospirosis do not have any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), red eyes, stomach pain, diarrhea, and sometimes a rash. Without proper treatment with antibiotics, people with leptospirosis may develop serious problems with their kidneys, liver, or lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). In some cases, leptospirosis can cause death.