Leptospirosis is an infectious disease whose source is most often rodents. Dogs, farm animals and wild animals can also carry it. The risk of infection rises most in the warm season.

Prevention advice was issued by Boiarka City Council.

How the infection reaches people

Infection occurs through contact with rodents or their excretions, through contaminated water, soil or food. Three everyday situations are named specifically: swimming in open water, fishing, and cleaning premises where rodents may have been — cellars, sheds and garages.

The bacterium enters through mucous membranes and damaged skin. That makes entering water with scratches or cuts on your legs especially risky, as is cleaning a dusty cellar without gloves and a respirator.

Why this is not "just a cold"

Leptospirosis is classed among particularly dangerous infections with a severe course. It affects the liver, kidneys and blood vessels, and treatment requires hospital care. The early symptoms are easily mistaken for flu — high fever, headache and muscle pain — which is exactly why people see a doctor late.

The key rule is simple: if a fever appears within two weeks of swimming in a pond, fishing or cleaning a cellar, tell the doctor about that contact. Without this detail the diagnosis comes late.

How to avoid falling ill

Do not swim in stagnant water of unknown quality, do not drink untreated water from open sources, wash your hands after contact with animals and soil, wear gloves when working in cellars and sheds, and store food in sealed containers rodents cannot reach.

Dog owners should remember: vaccinating the animal against leptospirosis protects not only the pet but the family. Rodent control in the yard is part of prevention too, not a separate household chore.

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