LEPTOSPIROSIS - SCI & TECH
News: Health
department urges caution against leptospirosis
What's in the news?
● The
district health wing has urged the public to remain alert against chances of a
spike in leptospirosis cases post-monsoon.
Key takeaways:
● Leptospirosis
has emerged as an important infectious
disease in the world today.
● It
is a potentially fatal zoonotic
bacterial disease that tends to have large outbreaks after heavy rainfall
or flooding.
Leptospirosis:
● Leptospirosis
is a zoonotic bacterial disease that poses a significant global health threat,
particularly after heavy rainfall or flooding.
● It
affects millions of people annually, with a high mortality rate, and its burden is expected to increase in the
future.
● The
disease is caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans, primarily
transmitted from animals to humans.
Transmission:
● Leptospira
is shed in the urine of infected
animals, contaminating soil and water.
● Direct
contact with animal urine or indirectly through contaminated soil and water
poses a risk.
● Agricultural workers,
animal handlers, and those in sanitary services are
at an increased risk.
● Engaging in water-based
activities in contaminated lakes and rivers can also
raise the risk.
Carriers:
● Both wild and domestic
animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and
dogs, can transmit the disease.
Symptoms:
● Leptospirosis
symptoms vary from mild flu-like illness
to life-threatening conditions affecting multiple organs.
● Symptoms
mimic other diseases like dengue, malaria, and hepatitis, leading to
underreporting and limited awareness.
Preventive Measures:
● Reservoir hosts:
Rats are not the sole cause; various animals act as reservoir hosts.
● Environmental factors:
Humidity and extreme weather events like floods increase the risk of exposure.
● Sanitary conditions:
Poor waste management, high density of stray animals, and inadequate sanitation
facilities contribute to the disease spread.
● Prevention strategies:
Adopting a ‘One Health’ approach involving humans, animals, and the environment
is crucial.
● Personal protective
equipment: People working with animals or in flooded
areas should use gloves and boots.
● Animal health and
prevention: Ensuring sanitary animal-keeping
conditions reduces the risk of leptospirosis transmission.
● Health education and
awareness: Promoting proper hygiene practices,
educating about the disease, and improving health literacy are essential
preventive measures.