An alert to leptospirosis, a potentially fatal infectious disease nicknamed the "rat disease" because often carried by these rodents, was launched in Haute-Saone, after three cases found in swimmers, said Friday the prefecture.
The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Burgundy-Franche Comté "was informed of three cases of leptospirosis following a swim in an uncontrolled area," said the prefecture of Haute-Saone in a statement, without specifying in what state was the three infected people. "All bathing and fresh water activities in fresh water poses a risk of exposure to the bacteria responsible for leptospirosis", adds the prefecture recalling that "swimming should be practiced in supervised areas subject to a sanitary control ".
A risk of multi-organ failure
Leptospirosis, a predominantly summer disease, is caused by bacteria in the urine of animals, mainly rodents, which can contaminate rivers, ponds or natural pools.
After the incubation, from three to twenty days, the disease is manifested in the majority of cases by signs resembling the flu (high fever with chills, muscle and joint pain, headaches, digestive disorders). Severe forms can lead to potentially life-threatening organ failure (multi-organ failure), kidney failure, hemorrhage and jaundice.