Mumbai braces itself for leptospirosis and waterborne infections
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《英国医生杂志》
Fears of leptospirosis and waterborne infections intensified in Mumbai after unprecedented monsoon rains last week killed nearly 400 people in the city, choked water and sewage systems, and left hundreds of animal carcasses on the streets. Health officials have asked the public to drink boiled water, avoid consuming fresh fruit and salads, and consult doctors even for minor illnesses.
Credit: AP/EMPICS
Thousands of people trudged for hours through knee deep water after rains paralysed traffic, and doctors are worried about the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection acquired through contact with the excreta of infected rodents.
"Leptospirosis has displayed a seasonal post-monsoon pattern in Mumbai in recent years, and we're asking people with cuts or bruises while in the water to consult doctors," said Murar Yeolekar, professor of medicine at Mumbai's Sion Hospital. "Given the incubation period, we might see a spurt in leptospirosis from the week beginning 6 August," he said.
Public hospitals have stocked themselves with antibiotics, and municipal authorities have increased the chlorine concentration in water from 0.3 ppm to 0.5 ppm. The first priority was to remove the animal carcasses and piled-up garbage, said a city health officer, Jayant Telang. The 944 mm of rainfall in 24 hours was the heaviest downpour recorded in decades and caused parts of Mumbai to be flooded with more than a metre of water. Most of the deaths were caused by landslides, structural collapses, and electrocution rather than drowning.(Ganapati Mudur)
Credit: AP/EMPICS
Thousands of people trudged for hours through knee deep water after rains paralysed traffic, and doctors are worried about the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection acquired through contact with the excreta of infected rodents.
"Leptospirosis has displayed a seasonal post-monsoon pattern in Mumbai in recent years, and we're asking people with cuts or bruises while in the water to consult doctors," said Murar Yeolekar, professor of medicine at Mumbai's Sion Hospital. "Given the incubation period, we might see a spurt in leptospirosis from the week beginning 6 August," he said.
Public hospitals have stocked themselves with antibiotics, and municipal authorities have increased the chlorine concentration in water from 0.3 ppm to 0.5 ppm. The first priority was to remove the animal carcasses and piled-up garbage, said a city health officer, Jayant Telang. The 944 mm of rainfall in 24 hours was the heaviest downpour recorded in decades and caused parts of Mumbai to be flooded with more than a metre of water. Most of the deaths were caused by landslides, structural collapses, and electrocution rather than drowning.(Ganapati Mudur)