141 Ukrainians have contracted leptospirosis since the beginning of the year: what it is and how to protect yourself
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Since the beginning of 2023, 141 Ukrainians have been diagnosed with leptospirosis.
This is 1.6 times more than in the same period last year, the Ministry of Health reported.
“Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is transmitted to humans through the biological fluids of infected animals. The causative bacteria can enter water bodies or soil and live there for up to several months.
In most of these cases, the source of the spread of infection was rats.”explained the Ministry of Health.
| Photo: mikelane45/Depositphotos |
This infection affects the kidneys, liver, meninges and can even lead to death.
The disease develops rapidly: from infection to the first symptoms, it takes from two days to four weeks.
The first signs of leptospirosis are similar to ARVI – the body temperature rises sharply, there may be headache and muscle aches, chills, red eyes, rash. Doctors warn that there may also be jaundice, vomiting and diarrhea.
At the same time, the disease can be asymptomatic.
How is the disease transmitted?
Leptospirosis can be contracted through:
- contact with urine (or other biological fluids, except saliva) of infected animals;
- contact with water and soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals;
- consumption of food or water contaminated with the urine of infected animals;
- while swimming in infected reservoirs, fishing, in flooded areas, while caring for sick and infected animals, etc.
How to protect yourself from leptospirosis?
To avoid infection:
- avoid water bodies if you are not sure of their water quality and do not fish;
- regularly vaccinate domestic and farm animals against leptospirosis;
- avoid contact with sick and infected animals;
- carry out deratization of the premises as soon as necessary.
It will be recalled that earlier animal rights activists explained why it is dangerous to feed an animal from public water bowls.
Read also: Why do children tolerate COVID-19 more easily than adults? Scientists have guesses
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