Beware of LEPTOSPIROSIS with the onset of the South Pacific cyclone season!

• Heavy rain caused by tropical cyclones may increase the risk of water-borne diseases like leptospirosis.
• Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is transmitted by animals (e.g. rodents, cattle & pigs) to humans by infected urine in the environment.
• Infection can occur through breaks in the skin or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.
• Leptospirosis includes a wide range of symptoms (high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea and rash) and can be mistaken for other diseases like dengue fever or influenza.
• Without treatment, the disease can lead to serious complications (e.g. kidney and liver failure) and even death.
• It is crucial that people who feel sick with a fever and think they have the disease quickly consult a doctor.