The storms and floods that left 166 people dead in Rio Grande do Sul now put the state on alert due to leptospirosis. As of Saturday (25/05), the State Department of Health (SES) had registered four deaths from the disease, 76 confirmed cases, and 1,256 cases under investigation. There are still another 10 deaths being investigated in the state.
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Contamination
Contamination with the Leptospira bacteria, responsible for the disease, is transmitted through the skin — especially if it has open lesions — from direct or indirect exposure to the urine of rats or other contaminated animals.
Lethality
According to the Health Ministry, a fatality risk of 40% in the most serious cases.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are fever, headache, muscle pain, lack of appetite, and nausea.
In more serious cases it can lead to Weil syndrome; Pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome; acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and hemorrhagic manifestations.
