NEWS: Over the past five years, the state has reported more than 16,000 cases and 30 deaths, with the numbers increasing each year.

ABOUT

• Leptospirosis àcases have risen sharply in Karnataka Economic Survey for 2025-26 reporting 19 deaths in the past year.
• Past five yearsàreported more than 16,000 cases and 30 deaths
• The numbers increasing each year
• 544 in 2020, 906 in 2021, 3,174 in 2022, 5,404 in 2023, 5,088 in 2024, and 6,525 in 2025, with 19 deaths last year.

Leptospirosis

• A zoonotic bacterial disease transmitted by contact with urine from infected animals or contaminated water or soil.
• Complications includeàKidney failure, liver failure and meningitis
• Early symptoms are non-specific.
• Infection can cause kidney failure, reducing urine output
• IgM ELISA is a screening test for antibodies. The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is the principal reference