Small Leptospirosis Outbreak In Jakarta From Filthy Flood Waters - Produces Brain Damage - AFP

[hatrack]

A man in the Indonesian capital has suffered brain damage and cannot speak after being infected by the contaminated flood waters that have inundated the city, reports said on Friday.

The 61-year-old and another person were diagnosed with leptospirosis or Weil's disease, a bacterial illness usually caught from contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected rats.

The case has underlined fears of a disease outbreak in and around Jakarta, where half a million people have been forced out of their homes by the worst flooding here in years. At least 50 people have died.

Many people have had no choice but to wade through the filthy waters which swept through the city, and children have been seen swimming in the streets despite the health risk. Sarnata, who uses only one name, was admitted to hospital on Thursday morning in the acute stage of leptospirosis, the official Antara news agency said. His kidneys were damaged and he was losing consciousness.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2006/070209091947.w878fwra.html

[Mojorabbit]

1. It is like that place is cursed

Tsunamis, earthquakes, bird flu, dengue, mud volcano, you name it and they have endured it.