Health
New York City Sees Increase in Human Infections From Rat Urine
Leptospirosis is caused by several species of a bacteria transmitted through direct contact with infectious urine or urine-contaminated water, soil or food.
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New York City is seeing a rise in cases of human leptospirosis, a disease caused by rat urine, which if left untreated can cause kidney failure and liver damage.
The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued an advisory on Friday after 24 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2023, the highest number in a single year, and six cases were reported so far this year.