35 People Have Been Confirmed To Have Had The Disease Leptospirosis In Hawke’s Bay This Year, With About Half Of Those Requiring Hospital Treatment

35 people have been confirmed to have had the disease Leptospirosis in Hawke’s Bay this year, with about half of those requiring treatment in hospital. Most of the cases have been reported after the February cyclone and National Public Health Service registrar Dr Matt Radford says there have been a significant increase in lepto cases in the region. Last year there were 15 cases and just five in 2021. It takes about 10 days for the symptoms to develop and people become very unwell with fevers, headaches, sore muscles, tummy pain, vomiting, diarrhea and red eyes. Most cases have been farmers or other people in contact with livestock and half have required hospitalisation this year.