On February 2nd, an outbreak of leptospirosis was reported in two cities of Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil, with Teresópolis reporting 2 confirmed cases and Nova Friburgo reporting 26 confirmed cases. Leptospirosis is known to occur most frequently in the weeks after heavy rainfall or flooding, both of which occurred late last month in Rio de Janeiro state. Leptospirosis is spread through direct contact with an infected host and also via exposure to water or soil contaminated with fluids from an infected host.
