Leptospirosis Risk Rises in Rainy Season: Symptoms and Prevention Tips
00:00
00:00
- A doctor in Tangerang warned that leptospirosis risk increases during floods, as leptospira bacteria can spread through water contaminated by rat urine.
- Key signs include sudden high fever, severe muscle pain (often in the calves), chills, intense headache, and sometimes red eyes, appearing 1–2 weeks after exposure.
- Prevention includes wearing boots and gloves in floodwater, covering wounds with waterproof dressings, washing with soap after exposure, and controlling rats at home.
As the rainy season intensifies and flood risks grow, the public is being urged to stay alert to leptospirosis, a disease that often emerges in unsanitary environments. A general practitioner at Sari Asih Hospital in Cipondoh, Tangerang, Banten, Dr. Putri Mutiara Sari, outlined several hallmark symptoms to watch for to avoid delays in treatment.
According to Putri, leptospirosis commonly begins with a sudden high fever. What often sets it apart, however, is very specific and severe muscle pain—especially in the calves, back, and waist area. Patients may also experience chills and an intense headache, resembling flu-like illness but typically far more severe.
“Wet, flooded conditions are a major route for the spread of leptospira bacteria from rat urine into environments where people live and move. This disease can be fatal if not treated quickly,” Putri said in Tangerang on Thursday (Jan. 29, 2026).
She explained that leptospirosis is a zoonotic infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans. The main route of infection is contact between skin and water or soil contaminated with the urine of carrier animals—most commonly rats.
Other symptoms can include red eyes. Signs of infection may appear one to two weeks after exposure to leptospira bacteria.
With rainfall expected to remain high through the end of January, Putri added that practical prevention steps include using protective gear—such as gloves and boots—when passing through standing water or drainage channels.
She also emphasized the importance of covering any wounds, as bacteria can enter through even the smallest cuts. People should use waterproof dressings and promptly wash hands and feet with soap after contact with floodwater.
“Keep your home clean so it doesn’t become a nesting place for rats—seal entry points and manage waste properly,” she said.
Putri advised people to seek medical attention immediately if they develop a high fever and muscle pain after exposure to floodwater. Early diagnosis and the right antibiotics, she said, are crucial to preventing serious complications in internal organs.
Mild leptospirosis is generally managed with supportive care, as it can be self-limiting. “But in severe cases, antibiotics are recommended to prevent complications,” she said.
Indonesianpost.com | Republika
