According to health authorities in the state of Kerala (southern India), there has been an increase in leptospirosis cases 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 state is facing a serious environmental crisis caused by wastewater from poultry farms, markets, and hotels flowing into clean waterways, creating a breeding ground for rats and mosquitoes. The outbreak particularly threatens the town of Patamthitta, a city of 37,538 people.
Rospotrebnadzor asks that this information be taken 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 (morphological microorganisms - leptospira), occurring with damage to the kidneys, liver, nervous and vascular systems, often with the development of hemorrhagic syndrome and jaundice.
The primary hosts (reservoirs) and sources of the infectious agent among wild mammals in nature are rodents (gray voles, mice, rats, and others) and insectivores (hedgehogs and shrews). In commercial (anthropurgic) outbreaks, this role is played by domestic animals—dogs, pigs, cattle, sheep, and, less commonly, goats and horses—as well as fur-bearing animals—foxes, arctic foxes, and 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 animals carrying leptospirosis (mainly through water, soil and plants, sometimes food products).
In addition to sporadic cases, epidemic outbreaks of leptospirosis are recorded, 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