Since 2017, reports of leptospirosis in Puerto Rico have been alarming. Though the bacterial disease isn’t pinned on mainstream trending headlines, it should be since it’s becoming more of an issue today.
To better grasp what leptospirosis is and why it’s mainly affecting Puerto Rico, let’s dig into what we know.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says the bacteria is spread through the urine of infected animals. The urine gets into water or soil and can survive for weeks or months.
They further point out that humans can be affected by “contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals, and contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.” Common animals that transmit the disease include cattle, pigs, horses, and rodents, to name a few.
Though some cases are entirely asymptomatic, common symptoms include high fevers, headaches, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting. The CDC reports that the first phase usually consists of the symptoms above and spans from a few days to three weeks or longer. However, there’s a possible second phase that includes more severe symptoms like kidney or liver failure or meningitis.
Why’s it impacting Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is affected because the disease is most common in tropical climates. According to the CDC, farmers, mine workers, sewer workers, slaughterhouse workers, and those who work directly with animals are also at higher risk.
Furthermore, Yale reports that rats heavily spread the bacteria. Yale’s study titled “High Prevalence of Deadly Bacterial Disease Found in Puerto Rico” from 2019 found the bacterial disease in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before Hurricane Maria in 2017. The same study concluded that people who live closer to a canal have more exposure risk because when canals overflow after rainfalls, the water carries rat infestation to people.
Though these reports date back to 2019, the disease is still impacting the Caribbean location today. After Hurricane Fiona (September 14, 2022, to September 24, 2022), sources say that the Puerto Rico Department of Health reported almost 800 “confirmed, probable, and suspect” cases in December 2022.
What now?
Puerto Rico needs aid to prepare. Hurricane Maria and Fiona isn’t the first or last hurricane that the island will endure.
Unfortunately, the island’s beautiful beaches come hand in hand with heavy rainfall, which is part of the spreading of this particular disease. For starters, Yale says that residents need protective equipment like gloves and boots to avoid any risk of contamination.