Health officials in Hawaii have warned of a dangerous bacteria spreading in floodwaters that recently swept through the US state, cautioning residents and relief workers about the risk of contracting Leptospirosis.
The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and the Hawaii Humane Society (HHS) urged everyone to watch for signs of illness following the Kona Lo storms, which dumped more than two trillion gallons of rain on the state—the equivalent of filling three million Olympic-sized swimming pools. Some areas experienced rainfall more than 3,000 times the normal average over a 14-day period, while wind speeds reached 135 miles per hour.
A rare but serious disease caused by a bacterium known as Leptospira, transmitted through the urine of infected animals, can survive in water or soil for weeks or months. During floods or heavy rains, the bacteria can enter the human body through the nose, mouth, eyes, or any skin wounds.
Once inside the body, the bacteria can infect vital organs, causing difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, black stools, or blood in the urine. In severe cases, it can lead to liver, kidney, and respiratory failure, or brain swelling. It can also cause severe pulmonary hemorrhagic syndrome (SPHS) with acute internal bleeding in the lungs.
Risk of infection and transmission
Although human-to-human transmission is rare, living in temporary shelters or facilities with rodent populations can increase the risk of infection. The mortality rate for severe leptospirosis is approximately 1 in 6 patients, while it can reach 50% in cases of severe pulmonary hemorrhagic syndrome.
The Hawaii Department of Health and the Hawaii Humane Society stated that the state's warm, humid climate makes it more susceptible to the disease, and that flooding events like the Kona Lo storm increase the spread of contaminated soil and water. Approximately 100 to 200 human cases occur annually in the United States, about half of them in Hawaii, with sporadic cases in Puerto Rico, California, and Illinois. The disease often affects people who engage in recreational activities in water or soil, such as farmers, veterinarians, or athletes who participate in water sports like swimming and kayaking.
Stages and symptoms of the disease
Leptospirosis in humans goes through two stages:
Acute phase : Bacteria in the bloodstream. Mild flu-like symptoms may appear, or there may be no symptoms. Then, it progresses to include vomiting, fever, and diarrhea within 2-14 days after infection.
Immune response phase : The bacteria spread to the body's internal organs and may rarely lead to "Weil's syndrome" with internal bleeding and organ failure.
As for pets, they may show symptoms including fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, jaundice, and increased thirst or urination.
Dr. Lisa LaBrake, chief veterinarian for the Humane Society of Hawaii, said: "Following the floods, the risk of Leptospirosis in the community increases. If any signs of illness appear in pets, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately, as early treatment with antibiotics is very effective."
The disease can be treated with antibiotics in both humans and pets, but a vaccine is available only for dogs; there is no vaccine specifically for humans. Dr. Ariella Parry, the veterinary medical officer for epidemiology at the health department, noted that pets are often the first indicator of disease outbreaks following floods.
