Advisory issued by BMC on Leptospirosis, amid heavy rainfall in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued the advisory on bacterial disease, called Leptospirosis. The advisory was issued on Thursday in which the civic body mentioned that since the city is witnessing heavy rainfall and is on alert from the IMD, the Leptospirosis cases may rise.

 

A bacteria called, Leptospira (spirochetes) causes this disease. Buffaloes, dogs, rats, and some other animals are the prime source of Leptospirosis. The people who are traveling through waterlogged roads, or are coming in contact with the water while walking, have the highest chances to get infected from this disease. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease, which spreads through the urine of animals who are infected from this. 

 

Different types of animals can become the carriers of this infection, but no symptoms can be seen in them. According to the reports, if a person walks through stagnant rainwater and is having no injuries in the feet is at ‘low risk’. The person who has come in contact with the stagnant water, and has some injuries on their feet and body parts, then the risk is ‘moderate'. But, if someone is closely working with stagnant water, like the rescue workers, then they are at a ‘high risk’. BMC has warned that there can be a spike in Leptospirosis cases following heavy rainfall.