With heavy rain, waterlogging and flooded streets becoming familiar sights during the monsoon, the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, becomes an important public health concern. The infection can cause fever and muscle pain, but in severe cases, it can damage the kidneys, liver and lungs. Recognising the symptoms early and seeking timely treatment can help prevent serious complications.
India is estimated to record between 100,000 and one million cases annually.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease , an infection that spreads from animals to humans, caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira. The bacteria can infect several animals, including rats, cattle, dogs and pigs. Infected animals may shed the bacteria in their urine, contaminating water and soil. The U.S. In India, leptospirosis is a recognised public health concern, particularly in coastal regions and other areas where environmental conditions favour transmission. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), under the Union Health Ministry, identifies Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka among the States where the disease has been a concern.
Because the disease is often underdiagnosed and surveillance systems differ between countries, the actual burden may be higher. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about one million cases and nearly 60,000 deaths occur globally each year. The Government’s Programme for Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis has expanded to cover 181 districts across 12 States and two Union Territories, according to the NCDC.
The symptoms are not specific to leptospirosis, making it difficult to identify the infection on clinical grounds alone. A history of exposure to floodwater, contaminated soil or potentially infected animals can help a doctor assess the likelihood of infection. In some patients, the illness progresses to a severe form, sometimes called Weil’s disease. This can involve kidney damage, liver dysfunction, jaundice, bleeding and respiratory complications. In severe cases, patients may develop meningitis, shock or failure of multiple organs. It is important not to assume that every fever during the monsoon is dengue or another common seasonal infection. Leptospirosis may initially present similarly, but the treatment and potential complications differ. Patients with severe disease may require hospitalisation and intravenous antibiotics, such as penicillin or ceftriaxone. They may also need supportive treatment for complications, including intravenous fluids when appropriate, monitoring of kidney and liver function, oxygen or ventilatory support, and dialysis if kidney failure develops.
