Mumbai: The city has seen a sharp surge in leptospirosis cases in July, compared to the corresponding figures of last year. While there were 59 cases registered last year, this year the number is 97. Five people have already succumbed to this bacterial infection while two other deaths' cause is to be confirmed by the death review committee of BMC’s epidemiology cell. Of the victims, two are teenagers and the rest are above 27, according to BMC officials.
BMC’s epidemiology cell noted that in all the cases of lepto, the victims had waded through the water, while having wound on legs. The leptospirosis infection is transmitted to humans through water contaminated by urine of rodents. The infection takes two days to four weeks to manifest into an ailment.
Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer of BMC, said, “Mumbaikars need to avoid walking through water, especially while having wounds on the legs. Washing hands and legs thoroughly after they have walked through stagnant water. If they have a fever, an immediate medical advice should be taken by consulting the doctor rather than self-medicate.”
In the first week of July, the first Lepto death was registered after a 17-year-old boy from G-South ward (Lower Parel area) died due to type one respiratory failure with hemorrhagic acute respiratory distress syndrome.
