Leptospirosis – Ukraine

A man was infected with Leptospirosis in the Sumy Oblast region, Ukraine.

The suspected infection source is contact with mice or swimming in the river Swesa.
Symptoms include fever chills, head and joint ache. A more severe form is characterised by potentially deadly liver damage, kidney failure and lung and brain damage.

The patient has been hospitalized, and no other measures were undertaken.Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all.

Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headaches, muscle pains, and fevers) to severe (bleeding in the lungs or meningitis).

The bacteria are spread to humans through animal urine, or water and soil contaminated with animal urine, coming into contact with the eyes, mouth, nose or breaks in the skin.

Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.

The disease was historically known as “rice field jaundice” in ancient Chinese texts, “autumn fever”, “seven-day fever”, and “nanukayami fever” in Japan. The bacterium causing the disease was identified in 1908 in Japan.