Floods in rivers and streams in Acre worsened the risk of leptospirosis and caused concern in several cities, including the state capital, Rio Branco. Photo: Reproduction: FliparIn February, Acre had a historic flood. The municipality of Brasileia was the hardest hit, recording the biggest flood in the city’s history. The level of the Acre River reached 15.56 meters high, exceeding the historic flood of 2015, when the same river reached 15.55 meters. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparSeveral parts of Acre were flooded, leaving thousands homeless. And scenes of people walking in filthy water were common for days at a time, leaving room for contamination. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparThe Zoonoses Center of the State Department of Health (Sesacre) announced that, in the first months of this year, there were 14 cases of leptospirosis. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparIn 2023, the number of leptospirosis cases in Acre increased. There were 146, much more than in 2022, when there were 84 registrations. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparThe North Region as a whole suffers from the risk of the disease in areas that are flooded. In 2023, the North of the country had 331 cases of leptosirosis, above the number in 2022 (304). . Photo: Reproduction: FliparLeptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira, present in the urine of animals, especially rats. The bacteria can enter the body through skin injuries, in cases of the body immersed for a long time in contaminated water or through mucous membranes. Photo: Reproduction: FliparTransmission is common in floods, when contaminated water from drains and sewers comes to the surface. The general symptoms of leptospirosis are similar to those of diseases such as dengue and flu: fever, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparProblems with lack of basic sanitation in several communities and in neighborhoods without good infrastructure make the risk permanent throughout the year. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparBetween the time of infection and the manifestation of symptoms (incubation period) there may be an interval of one to 30 days. According to the Ministry of Health, in 40% of the most serious cases the disease can lead to death. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparAreas with poor sanitation conditions have a higher incidence of the disease. In these places, there are often large populations of infected rats. Floods spread the disease and, therefore, avoiding contact with flooded areas is an important prevention measure. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparThe Ministry of Health considers leptospirosis to be an endemic disease in Brazil that can become epidemic during rainy seasons. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparCertain activities increase the risk of contracting the disease, such as those of street cleaners, garbage collectors, military personnel, firefighters and farmers. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparAlthough cases of leptospirosis occur in all regions, the largest number of recorded cases is in the south and southeast regions in urban environments. The average lethality is 9%. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparIn December 2022, a case drew attention because a 53-year-old man developed severe leptospirosis after eating a mango found on the ground. In other words, he never faced a flood. But he sinned due to lack of hygiene. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparTruck driver Roberto Luiz was admitted to a hospital in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, with serious symptoms that almost led to his death. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparHe had found the mango on Rodovia Washington Luís, when returning to Santos after delivering a load in the interior of São Paulo. At one stop, the driver picked up the fruit from the ground and peeled it with his mouth, without washing it. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparIn the following days, he began to have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain and vomiting. In Santos, he was diagnosed with dengue twice in Emergency Care Units. But time passed and the discomfort only intensified. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparOn December 16, at Santa Casa de Santos, a doctor suspected leptospirosis. When questioning Roberto Luiz about possible contact with floods or whether he drank a drink from a can, he heard the patient’s story about the mango. . Photo: Reproduction: FliparAs the disease progressed, the driver developed kidney failure and had to undergo hemodialysis sessions. The condition evolved into Weil Syndrome, the most serious form of leptospirosis. But he recovered and was discharged at Christmas. Photo: Reproduction: Flip
