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Cases of Leptospirosis Have Surged in New York City—What to Know About This Infectious Disease Spread by Rats - msnNOW
Oct 19, 2021 1 min, 0 secs

New York City's health department has reported an unusually high number of cases of a rare and potentially fatal bacterial disease often spread by rats.

As of late September, the city has seen 14 cases of leptospirosis (also known as Weil's disease) in 2021, according to an advisory issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, with one confirmed death from the disease.

City health officials only have 57 cases of leptospirosis on record between 2006 and 2020, with up to seven cases reported each year.

Symptoms of leptospirosis tend to be flu-like and can be confused with many other health conditions, which is why New York City public health officials are urging health care providers to be on the lookout for the disease?

Still, whether you live in New York City or not, you're probably curious about this infectious disease and whether you're at risk.

New York City public health officials are pointing the finger at rats in the particular cases identified there.

People can become sick anywhere from two days to four weeks after they've been exposed, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

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