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Health & Economic Impact

Puerto Rico’s 2022 leptospirosis surge shows one of the hidden health risks of flooding

n 2022, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, causing flooding across the island.

After the storm, there was a spike in leptospirosis, a disease that causes symptoms such as fever, chills, vomiting, and sometimes even death.

The bacteria that causes leptospirosis is carried by mammals like rats, who can spread the bacteria into water or soil through their urine.

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