Leptospirosis – Ukraine
- August 12, 2021
- 2 min read
August 12, 2021 – One (1) case of leptospirosis was identified in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. The individual was an adult male who was a resident of the Ternopil resion. He was admitted to the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital after diagnosis. He was in a critical condition.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria Leptospira that is contracted from contact with contaminated water or infected animal (usually exposure to the urine of infected animals). The bacteria is able to enter the body through open cuts and wounds, mucous membranes, or ingestion of contaminated foods. Symptoms can include headaches, muscle aches, and fever. The source mentions that untreated leptospirosis can lead to more serious conditions such as kidney damage, liver damage, meningitis, or death. It is not clear how the individual contracted the disease and what symptoms were reported, if any.
No follow-up information or action plan has been mentioned in this source.

Photo: Electron micrograph of leptospira bacteria.
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.
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