Leptospirosis after a downpour
The bacteria live in water contaminated with rat urine. In the rainy and flood season there's a lot of that water in Da Nang.
How people get infected
- Through scratches and cuts on the feet when walking through water.
- Through the eyes or mouth if water gets in.
Symptoms after 5–14 days
- A sudden high fever.
- Headache.
- Aching calves.
- Red eyes.
What to do
- Tell the doctor you walked through water — leptospirosis is treatable if you start in time.
- Walk flooded streets in closed shoes, cover cuts, and wash your feet with soap afterwards.
This is information, not medical advice. Emergency — 115.