After the flood, Rio Grande do Sul counts 25 deaths from leptospirosis; more than 600 cases confirmed

Another 3,559 reported infections are under investigation; only one death is not related to flooding

OR Rio Grande do Sul 25 deaths confirmed from leptospirosijust over two months after the floods historic events that devastated the region. Only one of the deaths was not related to flooding, according to the state Department of Health.

Fatal cases were recorded in 20 cities between April 26 and this Friday afternoon: Estrela (1), Capela de Santana (1), Rio Grande (1), Pelotas (1), Venâncio Aires (1), Três Coroas (1), Travesseiro (1), Sapucaia do Sul (1), Igrejinha (1), Guaíba (1), Encantado (1), Charqueadas (1), Cachoeirinha (1), Alecrim (1), Canoas (1), Viamão (1 ), São Leopoldo (1), Alvorada (2), Novo Hamburgo (2) and Porto Alegre (4).

Six more deaths in São Jerônimo (1), Esteio (1), Pelotas (2), Viamão (1) and São Leopoldo (1) remain under investigation.

According to the secretariat, 6,877 cases of leptospirosis have been reported in the state. Of these, 607 (8.8%) have been confirmed, 2,705 (39.3%) have been ruled out, and 3,559 (51.8%) remain under investigation.

The disease and protective measures

A Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira and is generally acquired through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, mainly rats. For this reason, floods are recognized as favorable environments for the spread of the disease.

People who have been in flooded areas and exhibit symptoms consistent with the disease, such as fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches (especially in the calves), headache, and vomiting, should seek assistance and report contact with flood water.

It is important to highlight that the Self-medication is not recommended. For mild cases, the recommendation is that care be provided on an outpatient basis. In more severe cases, hospitalization should be immediate to avoid complications and reduce the chances of death.

Other notifications

In addition to cases of leptospirosis, as of Friday the 12th, the State Center for Sanitary Surveillance has recorded 1,070 incidents involving poisonous animals, including 703 (65.7%) involving spiders, and 4,561 cases of rabies treatment.

Source: Terra

Ben

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