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Punjab

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann infected with rare bacterial infection of leptospirosis, discharged from hospital

SATINDER BAINS | September 29, 2024 09:24 PM

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was discharged from Fortis Hospital in Mohali on Sunday and resumed official work. He was infected with rare bacterial infection leptospirosis.

Fortis hospital doctors where Mann was treated have suggested a month long treatment and stay away from physical interaction with other humans. There are chances of reoccurrence of the infection if treatment is not completed. The infection was spreading to other organs mainly the kidneys, doctors said.

Doctors said that directly touching pee or other body fluids from an animal with leptospirosis can be cause of infection. The presence of bacteria in the urine means that leptospirosis is a sexually-transmitted infection, since during intercourse there will be the opportunity for small volumes of urine to exchange between partners. High fever, Red eyes (conjunctival injection), Headache, Chills, Muscle aches, Abdominal pain, Nausea and vomiting and Diarrhea are common symptoms.

Though Mann was advised by doctors not to conduct official activities, on reaching his residence, he called a meeting to review preparedness for the procurement of paddy starting from October 1 against the backdrop of a call by commission agents to boycott it in view of their demands.

Also, rice millers have given a call to boycott the storage of paddy in their mills and milling on account of a shortage of space.

How does leptospirosis spread?

Leptospirosis is usually spread to humans from animal pee containing the bacteria Leptospira. Almost any mammal (like rats, dogs, horses, pigs or cows) can get leptospirosis. They may have few or no symptoms of illness.

Animals with leptospirosis can contaminate water or dirt (soil), which spreads the bacteria to other animals or humans. Sexual acitivity between a healthy person and an infected person can also transmit the infection. 

It’s estimated that more than 1 million people worldwide get leptospirosis each year. Almost 60, 000 of those die from it.

A day earlier, the hospital said he responded well to the treatment for an increase in pulmonary artery pressure and all his vitals were completely stable." As suspected at the time of admission for tropical fever, his blood tests for leptospirosis came back positive. The Chief Minister has already been put on appropriate antibiotics, " R.K. Jaswal, Director and Head, Department of Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, said in a statement.

The hospital on Friday said due to an increase in pressure in the Chief Minister's pulmonary artery, there was pressure on his heart, leading to irregular blood pressure. Mann was admitted to the hospital late Wednesday night.

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