A 67-year-old man, resident in the municipality of Travesseiro, in Vale do Taquari, died from leptospirosis, an infectious disease that is generally transmitted through rat urine.
This is the first confirmed death in Rio Grande do Sul following the floods that have occurred since the end of April. However, leptospirosis is an endemic disease in the State. Events such as flooding increased the risk of infection.
The State Department of Health (SES) confirmed the death this Monday (20) after a positive result from the sample analyzed by the State Central Laboratory (Lacen), in Porto Alegre.
In recent weeks, 304 suspected cases of leptospirosis and 19 confirmed cases have been identified. Notified suspected cases are monitored by the SES, through the State Health Surveillance Center (Cevs).
Before the flood period, the State recorded 129 cases and six deaths until April 19, according to the Ministry of Health. In 2023, there were 477 cases and 25 deaths.
Leptospirosis, symptoms and care
Leptospirosis is transmitted through contact with the urine of infected animals, mainly rats, present in water or mud. Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, body aches, especially in the calves, and chills. They normally appear five to 14 days after contamination, and can last up to 30 days.
SES recommends seeking a health service immediately when symptoms appear and reporting any contact with flooding. Antibiotic treatment should be started when the disease is suspected. Mild cases are treated on an outpatient basis, while severe cases require hospitalization.
In areas affected by flooding, it is recommended to disinfect environments with bleach and adopt measures to prevent the presence of rodents, such as keeping food in closed containers and keeping the land clean.
*(Under the supervision of Felipe Andrade)
Source: CNN Brasil
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