Beware Of Lurking Leptospirosis In The Rainy And Floody Seasons

Illustration of floods. (Pexels/Taushal Moradiya)

JAKARTA - High rainfall hit the Jabodetabek area in recent days. This condition even had caused flooding in a number of these areas.

When rainfall is high and floods, disease transmission can occur younger, one of which is Leptospirosis. Quoting from NWS Health, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, leptopirosis is a bacterial disease caused by leptospira bacteria.

These bacteria can spread from animals to humans, through contact with contaminated water or soil. When flooded, these bacteria can be spread more easily through puddles.

Puddles of water during floods may contain leptospira bacteria originating from animal urinary. Some of the animals are mice, dogs, horses, pigs or cows, which can be infected with lepostpirosis.

On the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, it is also emphasized to be aware of the transmission of leptospirosis that can occur during floods. Especially for those who have open wounds, because it can make bacteria enter the body more easily.

There are several symptoms that appear in someone who is exposed to leptospirosis, including the following.

- High fever and chills - Headaches, vomiting, no appetite - calf-red eye muscle pain - Yellowness on the skin

If you have experienced these symptoms, especially after activities in dirty water such as floods, you should immediately go to the hospital. Handling leptospirosis must be fast, to prevent the patient's condition from getting worse and leading to death.

In addition, you can take steps to prevent the transmission of leptospirosis during floods. Starting from using gloves and boots while in the flood or cleaning flood scars, to washing hands and bodies with soap after activities, especially in very dirty areas.