According to health authorities in the state of Kerala (southern India), there has been an increase in the number of cases of leptospirosis among workers employed at the state's wastewater treatment plants, Rospotrebnadzor reports. As of June 21, the number of cases reached 69.
State authorities are concerned the unfavorable environmental situation that has developed in the state due to wastewater from poultry farms, markets and hotels flowing into clean water channels, creating favorable conditions for the breeding of rats and mosquitoes. The outbreak is particularly threatening the town of Patamthitta, with a population of 37,538.
Rospotrebnadzor asks to take this information into account when planning trips.
For reference:
Leptospirosis is a group of acute zoonotic natural focal infections with a contact mechanism of transmission of the pathogen (curved microorganisms - leptospira), occurring with damage to the kidneys, liver, nervous and vascular systems, often with the development of hemorrhagic syndrome and jaundice.
The main hosts (reservoirs) and sources of the infectious agent among wild mammals in nature are rodents (gray voles, mice, rats and others) and insectivores (hedgehogs, shrews). In economic (anthropurgic) foci, this role is played by domestic animals - dogs, pigs, cattle, sheep, less often goats and horses, as well as fur animals - foxes, arctic foxes, nutria.
The infection is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or through environmental objects contaminated with the urine of leptospirosis-carrying animals (mainly through water, soil and plants, sometimes food products).
In addition to sporadic cases, epidemic outbreaks of leptospirosis are registered, most often associated with swimming in open water bodies and drinking water infected with leptospires.
The risk of contracting leptospirosis has increased significantly due to the popularity of vacations in tropical and subtropical countries, tourism, sport and recreational fishing, windsurfing, rafting and other sports involving contact with water.
The severity of the infection in humans varies from mild to fatal. The infection is not transmitted from person to person.
Vaccines are used to prevent leptospirosis, and treatment is carried out with antimicrobial agents.
Source: trn-news.ru