Explained | Leptospirosis, a disease that surges in the monsoon months

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | Leptospirosis, a disease that surges in the monsoon months” published in The Hindu on 14th June 2023

What is the News?

Leptospirosis has emerged as an important infectious disease in the world which tends to have large outbreaks after heavy rainfall or flooding.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonotic bacterial disease.

Caused by: The disease is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogans, or Leptospira.

Vulnerable areas: The disease is more prevalent in warm, humid countries and in both urban and rural areas. It affects an estimated 1.03 million people every year, killing around 60,000.

Transmission: The carriers of the disease can be either wild or domestic animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs.

– The cycle of disease transmission begins with the shedding of Leptospira, usually in the urine of infected animals.

– According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, infected animals can continue to excrete the bacteria into their surroundings for a few months, but sometimes up to several years.

– Humans become part of the cycle when they come in direct contact with this urine or indirectly, through soil and water that contain leptospira bacteria. A person is more likely to contract leptospirosis if they have cuts or abrasions on their skin.

Symptoms: The severity of a leptospirosis infection ranges from a mild flu-like illness to being life-threatening.

Prevention: Leptospirosis control can benefit from a ‘One Health’ approach. ‘One Health’ is an interdisciplinary approach that recognises the interconnections between the health of humans, animals, plants, and their shared environment.