Leptospirosis threat looms large in city, 12 deaths in one week

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According to the data provided by BMC, 21 persons  were diagnosed with Leptospirosis in the month of July. Overall, there were 26 such cases in last six months. The number of casualties, so far, is one of the highest in last five years. Traditionally, the number of Leptospirosis deaths were limited to single digit, with 2010 being an exception, when 18 such deaths were reported.

If BMC officials are to be believed, these deaths are a result of intensive water-logging in the city after heavy rains of June 19. “There is a correlation between flooding and deaths caused by Leptospirosis. The disease is known to spread through accumulated water infested by the urine of rat and domestic animals. When someone with a scar on his body wades in this water, she is at high risk of contracting the disease,” informs civic health executive Padmaja Keskar.

For some unknown reason, most of the Leptospirosis deaths have been reported in the stretch between Dahisar to Goregaon.

The officials stressed that, if reported early, the disease can easily be cured. “Leptospirosis is known to have an incubation period of 10-12 days. In most of the fatal cases, the patients turned up at the hospital very late. Hence, we have requested the people to consult a doctor as soon as they find any symptoms of the disease on their body, instead of doing self medication,” said Keskar. The symptoms include fever, stomach and body ache.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com