More People in Thailand Being Infected With Deadly Disease

World News Radio, Australia

In Thailand, a deadly disease spread by rat urine is rapidly infecting an increasing number of people.

The disease, lepto-spirosis, has reportedly affected 4,889 people and led to 165 deaths over the past month.

Thailand's Ministry of Health warns the infection rate was expected to peak during October and November.

Lepto-spirosis, which is transmitted through water contaminated by rat urine, is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that attacks the respiratory system.

Common symptoms of the disease, which was first identified in Thailand in 1985, include severe headaches, fever, muscular pain, along with kidney problems in acute cases.