Leptospirosis claims its second victim this month

In a second instance of death due to leptospirosis in August, a 55-year-old Kandivali resident succumbed to it on August 19. The deceased who was an autorickshaw driver by profession, was admitted to Kasturba hospital on August 18.

So far, in 2016, five people have succumbed to this infection. "He suffered from high grade fever, chest pain and breathlessness for 3-4 days, prior to his admission to the hospital. He was first admitted in a local nursing home.

However his condition deteriorated and then he was moved to Kasturba hospital," said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. She added that he died of type 1 respiratory failure due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with sepsis, which is associated with leptospirosis.

Post his death, BMC said that 650 houses in and around the deceased person's house were screened, in which 2,920 people with fever were treated. "We have also sensitised private medical practitioners," said Keskar. So far, in August, there have been 299 leptospirosis cases. Andheri East, Santacruz, Kandivali, Chembur have reported the maximum number of leptospirosis cases.