Leptospirosis outbreak in Sarajevo
Based on the opinion of officials with the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Minister of Health of the Canton of Sarajevo, Enis Hasanović, issued an Order declaring an epidemic of the infectious disease leptospirosis in the territory of the Sarajevo Canton.
Sarajevo district authorities have declared a leptospirosis epidemic after it was confirmed that the disease appeared in late April. The County Public Health Institute confirmed that 17 cases have been confirmed so far.
“During the epidemic of the infectious disease leptospirosis, measures stipulated in the Law on the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases are being taken, as follows: reporting, epidemiological examination, surveillance of sick persons, health education of the population, increased anti-epidemic deratization, emergency disinfection of public transport vehicles, increased washing of streets and sidewalks, increased hygiene of parks and garbage collection, targeted inspection supervision by the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs, as well as the implementation of other measures ordered by the Minister of Health of the Sarajevo Canton, or the Government of the Sarajevo Canton, and according to the recommendations of the Institute for Public Health of the Sarajevo Canton,” the Order states.
The spread of the infection occurred because systematic deratization, as required by law, was not carried out in the Sarajevo area from 2021 to mid-2024, which led to an uncontrolled increase in the number of rodents in urban areas.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. It is most commonly transmitted through contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rodents.
Infection occurs when bacteria enter the body through damaged skin or mucous membranes - eyes, nose, mouth.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and vomiting, and in more severe cases, liver and kidney damage and inflammation of the brain membranes (meningitis) can occur.
Untreated leptospirosis can have serious consequences, including death.