This Friday, the Ministry of Health announced two probable casesconfirmation of analyzes is missing, leptospira. The two people are volunteers who carried out cleaning or debris removal tasks in the municipalities affected by DANA.
According to the Generalitat, the two infected have a good clinical evolution and a person is admitted to hospital for leptospirosis. This is a bacterial disease that can contract from contact with floodwaters, wet soil or contaminated sludge with the urine or tissues of infected animals, rats being the most common cause.
To treat it, antibiotics are used to fight the infection and some symptoms are mild: fever, general malaise and muscle pain. THE leptospirosis This is one of the main risks after flooding and bacteria can enter the body through skin lesions or mucous membranes. This may affect both residents of affected areas and also those involved in cleanup and rescue efforts.
Symptoms of leptospirosis
Some of the symptoms to take into account are:
- High and persistent fever.
- Severe diarrhea or vomiting.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.
- Dark urine.
- Persistent cough or difficulty breathing. Red or purple rashes that may indicate bleeding under the skin.
- Severe headache.
- Neck stiffness.
- Confusion.
- Disorientation or agitation.
- Likewise, special attention should be paid to open wounds or lesions, especially if they show signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge or pain).
Recommendations to avoid contracting infections
As for the recommendations addressed to citizens:
- We remember wash your hands very well with soap and water.
- Use a mask, gloves and eye protection and appropriate long-sleeved clothing when cleaning affected areas.
- Do not consume food in contact with with flooded soils.
- When cleaning houses it is recommended Open windows and doors to ventilate.
- Remove all wet belongings, stagnant water, mud and mud.
- Clean the walls and floors and disinfect with bleach.
- In the case of finding animal corpses They should be handled as little as possible, using appropriate protective equipment.
- It is also requested avoid contact with bodily fluids and follow the city council’s instructions to dispose of it.
- For avoid respiratory problemsIt is recommended to use portable generators or motors outside homes and garages, trying to keep them away from doors, windows or grills of homes.
