Context
Kerala continues to report a high burden of leptospirosis, particularly during the monsoon season, with recurrent outbreaks and fatalities. The disease remains a major public health concern due to environmental conditions, occupational exposure, and delayed diagnosis.
Explanation
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Leptospira spp., transmitted through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rodents.
- Humans become infected through cuts, abrasions, or mucous membranes after contact with contaminated floodwater, paddy fields, or sewage.
- Heavy rainfall, flooding, warm humid climate, poor sanitation, and rodent proliferation increase disease transmission.
- High-risk groups include farmers, sanitation workers, sewer workers, construction labourers, veterinarians, and people exposed to floodwaters.
- Symptoms range from fever, headache, myalgia, and conjunctival suffusion to severe Weil’s disease causing jaundice, kidney failure, pulmonary haemorrhage, and meningitis.
- Prevention includes protective gear, rodent control, sanitation, safe water, and chemoprophylaxis with doxycycline for high-risk individuals.
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