After rat urine death, NYC issues guidelines on avoiding disease
1 dead, 2 in serious condition
Following the outbreak in the Bronx of a rare but deadly disease spread by rat urine and associated with squalor, New York City’s Health Department has issued guidelines on how to avoid catching the avoid the illness, known as leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis can lead to kidney and liver damage and possibly death. It is treatable with antibiotics, however.
The disease is most common in tropical areas of the world and in slums of the developing world, but outbreaks can occur anywhere, according to health experts. While other animals can catch it, leptospirosis is most frequently spread by rodents.