There were several reports of leptospirosis, so the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene put out a warning. Leptospirosis is an illness that is often caused by being near rat urine. Cases have been seen in New York City.
Twenty-four cases were reported last year, which is more than any other year. Having said that, there have been six reports in just the first three months of this year. On average, the people who got the virus were fifty years old, and most of them were from the Bronx. Cases also came from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Hepatic failure, lung problems, headaches, chills, muscle pain, vomiting, jaundice, a rash, and a cough are all signs that someone may have Leptospirosis. Sometimes, people who are sick have to stay in quarantine for five to fourteen days, but it can last up to thirty days. What could happen if you don’t treat the infection? Meningitis, liver damage, kidney failure, and breathing problems.
“In New York City, locally acquired cases usually have a history of being exposed to rat urine or environments and materials contaminated with rat urine at home or at work,” health officials said.
“Person-to-person transmission is rare,” they said. The NYC Health Department does checks and works with property owners to fix rat problems when they find them.
Health experts said that the weather may have made this infection last longer, since it usually dies in cold or hot temperatures. It might not go away, but humidity, hot days, and even rain can make it last longer.
Someone who gets this infection in New York City needs to report it to the health department within 24 hours. You can find more information on their website.
