In the city, one person died after contracting leptospirosis.
Rats terrorize New York. The city is hit by the outbreak of a rare disease caused by bacteria found in rat urine. At least 15 cases of leptospirosis and one death have been reported in New York (USA). Three of the cases involved homeless people. Over the past 15 years – between 2006 to 2020 – 57 cases have been detected in the big apple. The year 2021 already represents more than 25% of the total over the past fifteen years. Experts believe the increase in cases could be linked to warmer temperatures and climate change. “Bacteria can persist in hot and humid environments. Changes in climatic conditions that allow the bacteria to persist (warmer and wetter climatic conditions) could contribute to an increase in human casesThe US Department of Health told the media. Health officials are working to eliminate rat infestations around the city to prevent the disease from spreading further.
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Headache, chills and jaundice
This disease is transmitted from animals to humans via the urine of infected rats. A person can become infected when they come into contact with the urine of an infected animal through food or water. According to health centers, the animals that can transmit the disease are cows, pigs, horses, dogs and rodents. This disease was discovered at the end of the 17th century by a German scientist. Symptoms appear suddenly between two and four days after infection. Among the manifestations of the disease: fever, headache, chills, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some patients also suffer from jaundice. While in most cases the symptoms disappear, they can also cause a more serious second phase (such as kidney or liver failure or even death).
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