The city recorded the third leptospirosis death this monsoon with a 60-year-old woman from Andheri (East) succumbing to the bacterial infection on Sunday. According civic officials, two people succumbed to the disease in the month of July.
The officials however said that there was no cause for worry. "In the monsoon, a few leptospirosis cases are expected. From August the cases will go down," said Dr Daksha Shah, head of the civic body's epidemiology cell.
"We received four to five leptospirosis patients last week and one of them is in the intensive care unit," said Dr Pratit Samdani, physician, Jaslok Hospital. However, there have been fewer leptospirosis cases this year, as compared to last year, said doctors.
Common symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, body ache, rigours and jaundice, similar to Malaria and Dengue.
The bacteria usually enter the body through cuts or abrasions, and occasionally through the lining of the mouth, nose, and eyes. Doctors advice avoiding walking barefoot in stagnant water.