MADRID, Spain.- Cuban health authorities warned about high rates of leptospirosis in Holguín; disease that is transmitted mainly by rodents and that can have serious consequences for health.
“An increase in morbidity and mortality due to leptospirosis has been observed in the territory, caused by increased rainfall and contact with wastewater, essentially in livestock areas, during the month of October,” Humberto Rivera announced. Almaguer, Head of the Zoonosis Program in Holguín.
Almaguer, quoted by official mediahighlighted that in addition to rodents, animal husbandry can be another source of infection, through contact with the urine of infected animals such as dogs, cattle, pigs or horses.
The head insisted that the population know the prevention measures, among which he highlighted “having control over rodents through communal hygiene, in the place where the animals are kept, and personal hygiene; avoid swimming in puddles, rivers or dams; identify sick animals and avoid contact with their urine and feces; and guarantee the vaccination of risk groups.
The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, muscle pain, especially in the calves, vomiting, diarrhea and general malaise.
The health authorities warned that before the appearance of these symptoms it is necessary to go to the doctor, because without treatment this disease can cause damage to the kidney and the liver and to death.
The bacteria that cause leptospirosis can live for weeks to months in water and soil contaminated with animal urine.
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