Ranchi: Heavy rain and widespread waterlogging have triggered a surge in leptospirosis cases in the city, prompting doctors to advise residents, particularly children, to avoid stagnant and potentially contaminated water.Rani Children’s Hospital has recorded more than 100 cases in the past two months, while the paediatric department of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) has treated 30 children for the infection during the same period.Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, including rats, cattle, pigs and dogs. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts or wounds in the skin, particularly when people walk barefoot or wade through contaminated water.“The risk of leptospirosis increases during monsoon as people often walk barefoot through stagnant water contaminated with animal urine,” Rims paediatric department head Dr Partha Kumar Chaudhary said.Of the 30 children treated at Rims, two developed severe symptoms, including jaundice and renal failure. “Both are stable now,” Chaudhary said.Doctors said the infection can initially be mistaken for a common viral illness as symptoms include fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, vomiting and weakness. In severe cases, it can affect the kidneys and liver and lead to jaundice, pulmonary haemorrhage and other complications.“People should avoid walking barefoot through stagnant water, particularly in places where sewage or garbage may have mixed with rainwater. Those who have to wade through such water should wear protective footwear,” Chaudhary said.“Children face a higher risk as they are more likely to come into contact with stagnant water while playing outdoors,” he added. Recent rain and waterlogging in several parts of Ranchi have increased the possibility of exposure.Dr Vinod Kumar, consultant paediatrician at Rani Children’s Hospital, said leptospirosis patients currently account for three in every 10 admissions at the hospital.“We have been witnessing this trend for the past two months. The patients are responding well to treatment, but people should seek medical attention if they develop fever, redness in the eyes or joint pain instead of dismissing the symptoms as common flu,” Kumar said.“Early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics can prevent the infection from progressing to a severe stage,” he added.
