Chicago health officials released a health alert about leptospirosis cases in the city after numerous infections were reported and at least one person died.
The contagious bacterial disease has been found in at least four recent cases, the Chicago Department of Public Health told NBC Chicago, with one of those cases resulting in a death.
“All four of the most recent cases, including the patient who died, had either direct contact with animal urine or droppings (primarily rats) or indirect contact through yard work or gardening,” the department said.
CDPH had recently issued a Health Alert Network alert about leptospirosis earlier this week alerting healthcare providers in the city of the recent cases to “let them know to test patients who may be displaying compatible symptoms.”
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease that affects many animals, including dogs, and people and can be found in contaminated water or soil, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The bacteria can survive in contaminated water or soil for weeks to months,” the CDC reports.
If left untreated in humans, the disease can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing and even death.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms in humans include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Body or muscle aches
- Vomiting or nausea
- Yellowed skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Red eyes
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Rash
Symptoms in dogs and other animals:
- Lethargy
- Increased thirst
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin)
- Discolored urine (dark yellow to orange)
- Joint or muscle pain
It’s important to note, however, that many animals will show no signs of infection at all.
For people, the disease can take anywhere from two to 30 days to start showing symptoms.
The CDC warns it could occur in two phases:
- In the first phase, people may have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. The person may feel better for a while but become ill again.
- Some people may suffer a more severe second phase with kidney or liver failure, or inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
The illness can last from a few days to several weeks.
How can you prevent in?
CDPH recommends you:
- Avoid contact with floodwater and do not eat food contaminated with floodwater
- Reduce rodent populations:
- Report sightings or suspicions of rodents to 311
- Use a secure lid for trash and compost bins.
- Where possible, seal entry points to prevent rats from entering your yard, and reduce standing debris, tall grass, and other items around your yard
- Clean up animal urine or feces appropriately by wearing rubber or plastic gloves, cleaning thoroughly with disinfectant, and washing your hands afterwards.
- If doing yardwork/gardening or standing in water:
- Cover wounds/scratches/abrasions with waterproof bandages if doing yardwork/gardening or standing in water
- Wear waterproof gloves and closed toe shoes or rubber boots
- Talk to your veterinarian about leptospirosis vaccination if you have a pet dog
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