Rio Grande do Sul recorded the second death from leptospirosis this Tuesday (21) since the beginning of the worst flood in its history. The victim was a 33-year-old man and lived in the city of Venâncio Aires, approximately 185 kilometers from Porto Alegre.
According to family members, the man had come into contact with flood waters, even though he had adopted protective items, such as boots. This month alone, the municipality confirmed two other cases of contamination by the disease – but without other deaths, for now.
Another man, aged 67, died infected with the disease in the city of Travesseiro, in Vale do Taquari. The death was the first confirmed by the state following the rains that have affected the region since the end of April.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease transmitted to humans through contact with the urine of infected animals, mainly rats. The main symptoms include fever, weakness, headache and body pain, such as in the calves, as well as chills.
Signs of infection normally appear five to 14 days after contamination, and can last up to 30 days.
Rains in Rio Grande do Sul
Since the end of April, when Rio Grande do Sul was hit by heavy rains, the state has recorded 161 people dead and another 85 missing, according to data released by Civil Defense this Tuesday morning (21).
Around 72,500 people are in shelters, while another 581,633 are homeless. The number of affected municipalities is 464.
* Under supervision
Source: CNN Brasil
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