Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann tested positive for leptospirosis. From causes to symptoms, learn all about this life-threatening animal disease.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann You have been diagnosed with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection. He was admitted to Fortis Hospital Mohali on Wednesday for a routine check-up. “At present, all the Chief Minister’s vital signs are completely stable. As suspected at the time of admission for tropical fever, his blood tests for leptospirosis were positive,” according to a health bulletin issued by the hospital. The 50-year-old AAP leader is said to have been given appropriate antibiotics. “All clinical features and pathological tests have shown satisfactory improvement.”
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the leptospira bacteria, which affects both humans and animals. It is usually transmitted by direct contact with the urine of infected animals or by exposure to environments contaminated with urine, such as water or soil. The bacteria can enter humans through cuts or abrasions in the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.
What are the symptoms?
The disease causes very high fever, headache, muscle pain, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea. It also affects the eyes, sometimes with yellow or brown spots, depending on the complexion, and pain in the abdomen.
How serious is the disease?
Speaking to IANS, Dr M Wali, senior consultant, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said, “Leptospirosis is usually self-limiting and can resolve within two weeks with antibiotics. “But if the infection is severe, it can spread to the kidney, brain, spinal cord or liver. Although the liver is mainly affected, in rare cases it can spread to the lungs.”
It is important to note that the disease is difficult to diagnose and, therefore, can remain in the body for some months. He further added that “patients can go from one doctor to another, since fever cannot be treated because it is not diagnosed.”
The doctor may suspect and perform a simple PCR test to diagnose the disease. It can be well contained with the antibiotic doxycycline. The disease can become fatal if it enters the brain. The expert stated that “it is not transmitted from person to person, only through contamination. People should not consume food available in Kirana stores, only packaged and properly sealed food. “Easily accessible foods infested with rats should be avoided.”
Leptospirosis is endemic to India due to a tropical climate that complements the transmission of the infection. Scientists believe the first disease outbreak in the 1920s came from the Andaman Islands. It is one of the most widespread but neglected zoonoses, with most reports coming from South America, the Caribbean, and South Asia. In India, it is endemic to coastal states such as Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Despite causing significant mortality in India, the disease remained underreported, mainly due to its endemic nature, lack of diagnostic modules and lack of awareness among treating physicians.
