Leptospirosis Outbreak: Contaminated Flood Water In Mumbai Claims Two Lives

With the onset of rains, Mumbai has recorded 15 suspected cases of leptospirosis since July 1. Cases of dengue has also increased with 30 suspected cases.

Heavy rains and floods have brought back cases of leptospirosis in Mumbai, India. It has claimed two lives and affected 15 people in July.

Leptospirosis is an bacterial infection that affects people who have waded through flood waters contaminated with urine of rats and dogs.

Leptospirosis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Reference
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria. It is also known as Weil's disease, after the one who first recognized the disease.

The infection is easily treatable if diagnosed early and causes complications such as multi-organ failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome if the treatment is delayed.

A 30-year-old Dahisar resident visited a private doctor with initial symptoms on June 27, he was admitted to a civic-run hospital on July 1. He succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome on July 2.

The second victim, 16-year-old from Kandivli, had walked through flooded areas before falling ill. He visited a private doctor and was admitted to a civic-run hospital on July 1 and succumbed to fever and acute infection on July 2.

Leptospirosis Epidemic Overtakes Gujarat
Leptospirosis has reached epidemic proportions in Gujarat according to the government there although they have denied any outbreak of plague in any part of flood-ravaged Surat

Dr Padmaja Keskar, BMC’s executive health officer said, "We have noticed a slight increase in leptospirosis cases, but there doesn’t seem to be one particular focus area. But people have to be cautious and rush to doctors at the first sign of fever. If the fever is accompanied with abdominal pain, there is reason to suspect leptospirosis."

Cases of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue has increased with 30 suspected cases in July so far as against 30 cases throughout June.

104 Die of Leptospirosis in the Last 2 Months in Surat
In just two months Leptospirosis has claimed the lives of 104 people in the area around Surat, Gujarat.

Source-Medindia

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In Navsari, Gujarat, an outbreak of Leptospirosis has resulted in eight lives being lost. Currently, almost a hundred persons are suspected of being affected by the deadly disease.