Following the death of a 28-year-old young man in Canoinhas, in the Northern Planalto of Santa Catarina, last Thursday (19), the municipal health department is investigating the cause as leptospirosis or hantavirus. The boy died in a Santa Cruz hospital after flooding in the city caused by heavy rains that hit the region.

The level of the Canoinhas River has risen due to heavy rains – Photo: Canoinhas City Hall/Reproduction/ND

Both diseases are transmitted by rodents, and contact with contaminated water during floods can contribute to infection. After the death of a 28-year-old young man, the health department collected materials from the victim and sent them to Lazen (central laboratory), where tests will be carried out to confirm the cause of death.

Both leptospirosis and hantavirus enter the human body through one’s own skin or wounds through contact with contaminated water. The main symptoms are fever, headache and body aches.

Risk of contracting leptospirosis increases due to floods

Canoinhas was one of the towns hit by heavy rains on the northern plateau of Santa Catarina, leaving hundreds of families homeless and homeless.

Due to the floods, the risk of leptospirosis, hantavirus and other diseases transmitted through contaminated water has raised alarm among authorities.