LEPTOSPIROSIS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: As the Nipah threat subsides, Kerala is now grappling with a new health crisis: a deadly outbreak of Leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis

• About: It is a zoonotic disease, which means it’s transmitted between animals and humans.
• Also known as: Rat fever
• The disease is also known for a high mortality rate.
• Caused by: Bacteria Leptospira.
• It a type of bacteria in the urine of animal carriers, particularly rats.

• Transmission: If a person is exposed to soil or water contaminated with an infected animal's urine, bacteria can enter their body through skin breaks, making people in flooded areas especially vulnerable.
• Leptospirosis in humans: It’s estimated that more than 1 million people worldwide get leptospirosis each year. Almost 60,000 of those die from it.
• Phases: Leptospirosis consists of two phases: the leptospiremic (acute) phase and the immune (delayed) phase.

oLeptospiremic Phase: During this phase it may experience a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms. This usually starts within two to 14 days after a Leptospira infection. It lasts between three and 10 days.

oImmune phase: In this phase, Leptospira bacteria has moved from blood to your organs. The bacteria is most concentrated in kidneys, which make pee (urine).

• Treatment: It can be treated with antibiotics.