Authority warning of infection Thailand travelers should avoid certain waters

Leptospirosis: warning of dangerous infectious disease in Thailand

In some regions of Thailand, after severe flooding, the dangerous infectious disease leptospirosis has become widespread. Travelers should therefore stay away from certain waters. Contact with potentially infected animals should also be avoided.

Health hazards in the holiday paradise

Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Every year, millions of tourists travel to the Southeast Asian country to relax on dream beaches, visit ancient temples and enjoy the wonderful food. However, the holiday paradise also threatens various health hazards due to tropical diseases. At the moment, the CRM Center for Travel Medicine points to a risk of leptospirosis. The dangerous infectious disease has become very common in recent weeks.

In Thailand, the dangerous infectious disease leptospirosis is spreading steadily. Travelers should keep away from potentially infected animals and freshwater bodies of water. (Image: carloscastilla / fotolia.com)

Nearly 50 deaths

According to Thai authorities, 2,425 cases of leptospirosis have been registered in the country this year. The disease resulted in 47 deaths of the infected.

The reason for the strong increase in infections are flooding caused by severe storms in eastern and central Thailand, including Bangkok.

Like Dr. Jessada Chokdamrongsuk from the Thai Ministry of Health stated in a message published on the portal "ReliefWeb" that this disease is not life-threatening if treated promptly.

Avoid direct contact with freshwater waters

Leptospira are bacteria that can survive in water and mud for a long time.

According to media reports, Professor Tomas Jelinek, Scientific Director of the CRM Center for Travel Medicine, said: "Bacteria are released into the environment via the urine of infected rodents, but also from domestic animals and livestock such as dogs, pigs and cattle."

"Your infectivity will probably persist for months," says the expert.

Humans can become infected either through direct contact with pathogenic urine or exposure to a contaminated environment. The bacteria enter the body via skin lesions or the mucous membranes.

"Travelers, especially backpackers and expedition members, should avoid direct contact with freshwater and mud in the affected areas," said Professor Jelinek.

Even sports activities like waterfall climbing or swimming can come to such a contact. Tourists should stay away from animals.

Much of the disease is mild

According to medical experts, the majority of illnesses are mild: After an incubation period of a few days to two weeks, flu-like symptoms occur, such as high fever, chills and severe muscle and headaches.

Frequently, reddened mucous membranes and conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) occur.

"Depending on the pathogen, after a temporary improvement in the second week to a meningitis or jaundice with life-threatening liver and kidney dysfunction and bleeding tendency," writes the CRM Center for Travel Medicine on its website.

If the lungs or brain are affected, it can cause bronchitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis. "Then you should get antibiotics as soon as possible," Jelinek explained.

Without treatment, two to ten percent of the diseases are fatal.

Infections also in Germany

"Although leptospirosis has the highest incidences in tropical and subtropical countries, there is a small but fairly constant occurrence even in countries with a temperate Western European climate," writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)..

According to the experts, since the year 2000 between 37 and 166 cases of leptospirosis have been transmitted annually to the RKI in Germany.

"On average, more than three quarters of transmitted infections are acquired in Germany. Due to the often unspecific clinical symptoms of leptospirosis, however, one can expect a significant number of unreported cases, "say the experts. (Ad)