Leptospirosis spreads through infected animals, including rats, which can contaminate water with their urine. Part of the problem with treating the disease is its wide range of symptoms that can be mistaken for another illness. Nosebleeds are not generally common.
First Marburg outbreak confirmed in Ghana
The leptospirosis outbreak comes after Ghana officially confirmed two cases of the Marburg virus, an Ebola-like disease with a death rate of up to 88 per cent, for the first time on Sunday. Both patients died earlier in the month, raising fears that there has been broader transmission. Health officials in the west African nation say 98 people are now under quarantine as suspected contacts. The outbreaks underscore an alarming trend in Africa. According to a WHO analysis released last week, the number of zoonotic outbreaks in the previous ten years has risen by more than 60 per cent when compared to the previous decade. There was a substantial spike in 2019 and 2020 when half of public health threats were caused by zoonosis – diseases which have jumped from animals to humans. “Infections originating in animals and then jumping to humans have been happening for centuries, but the risk of mass infections and deaths had been relatively limited in Africa – poor transport infrastructure acted as a natural barrier,” Dr Matshidiso Moeti, head of the WHO’s Africa office, said last week. “However, with improved transportation in Africa, there is an increased threat of zoonotic pathogens travelling to large urban centres. We must act now to contain zoonotic diseases before they can cause widespread infections and stop Africa from becoming a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases.” Leptospirosis is very rare in the UK, and it is unlikely someone would catch it from pets or animal bites. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
