Background & Goals of case study of Leptospirosis in India
Leptospirosis is a globally emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, transmitted through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Rapid urbanization, poor sanitation, and increased human–animal interactions in Indian cities have contributed to outbreaks. The goal of this study was to analyze leptospirosis cases in urban India, identify risk factors, and highlight public health interventions.
Materials & Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted using data collected from municipal hospitals and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from 2015–2019. Patient demographics, clinical symptoms, and exposure history were recorded. Environmental assessments focused on water contamination, rodent prevalence, and sanitation infrastructure. Laboratory confirmation involved ELISA and PCR assays.
Results for Leptospirosis in India
From 2015–2019, 3,742 laboratory-confirmed human leptospirosis cases were reported in urban Indian regions, with 122 deaths. Outbreaks were strongly correlated with monsoon season and areas with poor drainage and rodent infestations. The study identified occupational risk groups, including sanitation workers and agricultural laborers migrating to urban areas. Public awareness and preventive behaviors were low among affected populations.
Conclusion for Leptospirosis in India
Leptospirosis in urban India demonstrates how rapid urbanization and inadequate sanitation facilitate zoonotic disease emergence. Recommendations include improving urban waste management, conducting rodent control programs, promoting personal protective measures, and implementing public health education campaigns to reduce infection risks.
Keywords
Leptospirosis, Zoonotic Disease, Urbanization, Public Health, India, Sanitation, Rodent Control, Risk Factors
References
- Victoriano, A. F. B., Smythe, L. D., Gloriani-Barzaga, N., et al. (2009). Leptospirosis in Humans and Animals in Urban Settings. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 15(12), 1971–1979. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2334-9-147
- NCDC India. (2019). Leptospirosis Surveillance Report. National Centre for Disease Control. https://ncdc.gov.in
Copyright
This case study is adapted from Victoriano et al. (2009) and the National Centre for Disease Control (2019). The original work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
Disclaimer
This lesson paraphrases and adapts content from the original research by Victoriano et al. (2009) and NCDC (2019). All rights to the original publications remain with the authors and institutions. This material is intended solely for educational and teaching purposes. Any commercial use or reproduction of the original work without permission is prohibited. You can view the full papers here:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2334-9-147
