18-year-old becomes 5th lepto victim this monsoon
The girl was admitted to Sion hospital on August 1 with high fever and vomitting. She died of multi-organ failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome that is usually associated with leptospirosis infection, said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
An 18-year-old girl from Govandi succumbed to leptospirosis on August 6. This is the first death in August and fifth this rainy season in the city.
"The girl was admitted to Sion hospital on August 1 with high fever and vomitting. She died of multi-organ failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome that is usually associated with leptospirosis infection," said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
She added that as a precautionary measure, people living with her and around her house have been screened for leptospirosis infection symptoms. "We have screened as many as 2,400 houses in which 9,500 people were checked for symptoms. We have found 25 people with fever and other symptoms and they are undergoing treatment," said Keskar. In the last seven days, 101 suspected leptospirosis cases have been registered in BMC hospitals.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by a strain of leptospira. The infection is commonly transmitted from animals to humans when people with wounds or breaks in the skin come into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with animal urine.
Andheri East, Santa Cruz, Kandivli and Chembur have reported the most number of leptospirosis cases.
"Any fever during the monsoon should not be ignored and steps should be taken to diagnose it as dengue, leptospirosis or flu for proper management," said Dr Pratit Samdhani, physician, Jaslok hospital.
A study done by Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing, Parel, on leptospirosis, which was published in the 'Journal of Infection and Public Health', shows that the disease is prevalent and very difficult to diagnose based on clinical grounds, as it mimics the symptoms of many diseases. Hence, it should be diagnosed correctly, especially in the presence of history of occupational, water and animal contact with respect to clinical features. The study said that the leptospirosis situation in Mumbai and India is a cause for concern.
Mumbaikars can call on 022-24114000 for monsoon-related ailments.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by a strain of leptospira. The infection is commonly transmitted from animals to humans when people with wounds or breaks in the skin come into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with animal urine.
Symptoms
Symptoms can take about two to four weeks after exposureFever, headache, muscle pain, vomitting, diarrhoe and abdominal painCan be life-threatening if not treated promptly
Who is at risk?
Farmers or those working at slaughterhousesThose indulging in water sportsThose in close contact with pet dogs, livestock and infected rodents
Grim numbers
In 2015, between January and April, there was only one case, while during the same period, there have been 18 cases.In a week in July 2015, there were 12 deaths.