Infection Spread by Rats on the Rise in New York City

Pest control, always a crucial public safety service, has become more important in New York City due to an outbreak of a disease caused by rat urine, Gizmodo reports.

At least 15 city residents have contracted Leptospirosis, a disease caused by the thin, corkscrew-shaped Leptospira bacteria. Most have been hospitalized and one died. The infection is transmitted to humans through direct contact with rat urine. Health experts are examining why cases of leptospirosis have been more common this year and speculate warmer weather conditions fueled by climate change may be a factor.

Symptoms of the disease include high fever, chills, muscle aches, and jaundice (yellowed skin and eyes). Not everyone has symptoms after exposure to the bacteria and most people recover. However, in rare cases, people who do not receive proper treatment may experience liver, kidney, and brain damage that can be fatal.

Leptospirosis is found all over the world and is credited with causing more than 1 million infections and about 59,000 deaths annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it is rarely reported in the United States. The New York City Health Department has documented 57 cases over a 15-year span from 2006 to 2020, which averages less than four cases a year.

In late September, NYC Health Department officials issued a public advisory after documenting 14 cases of leptospirosis; since then, a 15th case has been found. Among the first 14 cases, only one is thought to have been caught during travel elsewhere. In its advisory, health officials said that 13 people had been hospitalized with acute kidney and liver failure, with two developing serious lung problems as well. One hospitalized person died from the infection and the others have since been discharged.