First case of “rat disease” diagnosed after floods in Europe (video)

After floods, as a rule, there is an invasion of rats – carriers of infectious diseases such as leptospirosis.

In the Czech Republic, the first “rat disease” was diagnosed in a man who found himself in a flood zone in the Czech Republicthe Department of Health reports. The victim is 64 years old, he is now hospitalized and undergoing treatment.

Authorities are warning about pathogens in muddy flood areas and are strongly warning not to ignore flu symptoms after people have worked in flood zones to help clean up mud. The symptoms of leptospirosis are similar to those of the flu; the patient complains of:

• headache,
• weakness,
• muscle pain,
• photophobia,
• lack of appetite.

The patient's face is puffy, the eyes are red, with hemorrhages, and there may be herpetic rashes on the lips. Blood pressure is reduced, pulse is rare. Possible vomiting and diarrhea.

In this case, writes bild.de, it is quite possible that the infected man from the Moravian-Silesian region even ingested the bacterium, as he was swept away by a flood two weeks ago. The Ministry of Health explains:

“The man probably drank flood water. The infection could have entered his body in other ways, for example, through skin lesions.”

The bacteria are shed by rodents, rats and mice, and mainly accumulate in damp areas. The sick pensioner consulted a doctor only on the eleventh day after his rescue. He complained about pain in my legs, weakness and dizziness, I could hardly walk normally. The blood test was positive for leptospirosis. The man is now being treated with antibiotics.

Leptospirosis is also known as Weil's disease or “rat disease” because the pathogens are predominantly found in damp areas and are excreted by rodents. According to the RKI, transmission often occurs in flooded areas, which is what happened in the Czech Republic. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) explains:

“Hygiene problems arise especially after the end of the flood, when residents, while cleaning their homes, basements and gardens, have intense contact with water that may be contaminated with faeces.”

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