35-year-old woman dies of leptospirosis at Kandivli

MUMBAI: The season’s first death caused by leptospirosis infection was reported on Friday after a 35-year-old woman from Kandivli died at a local municipal hospital,

MUMBAI: The season’s first death caused by leptospirosis infection was reported on Friday after a 35-year-old woman from Kandivli died at a local municipal hospital, according to the civic body’s report on monsoon ailments. Moreover, 20 cases of leptospirosis between July 1 and July 15 were confirmed , the report added.

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Leptospirosis is a waterborne disease that spurt s during monsoon. Last year’s outbreak of the infection had caused 20 deaths in the city.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the victim had high fever and breathlessness three days before she was admitted.

The report said she was admitted at Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, Kandivli, and died of cardiac arrest within two days.

Doctors said that leptospirosis is caused by bacteria present in urine of animals such as rats, dogs and cattle. People get infected when they wade through flooded streets and come in contact with such infected urine and faecal matter.

“People who have wounds and skin abrasions should be very cautious. They should avoid walking though flooding as the leptospirosis bacteria enters the body through the skin,” said Dr Padmaja Keskar, city’s executive health officer.

The report also said that 64 cases of gastroenteritis were reported on Saturday.

“I am seeing a lot of gastroenteritis cases, about 10 a day. It is mainly because of people consuming contaminated food and water,” said Dr Hemant Thacker, consultant physician, Breach Candy Hospital.

The BMC also reported 15 cases of malaria and suspected dengue each.

“I am also seeing more dengue cases as compared to malaria,” added Dr Thacker.