UAE Warns Travellers of ‘Rat Fever’ Risk After Indian Expat Dies in Kerala

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Dubai: UAE doctors are encouraging visitors, particularly expatriates visiting Kerala during the rainy season, to take precautions against leptospirosis, sometimes known as ‘rat fever,’ after an Indian expat from Dubai died of the infection while on vacation in Kerala.

Teejo George, 48, died at a hospital in Kannur on August 8, two days after being admitted with diarrhoea and body pain. Laboratory findings showed leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through water, soil, or food contaminated with infected animals' urine, particularly rats.

Doctors warned that the infection may initially resemble a common viral fever or dengue. Symptoms can include a rapid fever, headache, red eyes, intense muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In severe situations, it can lead to liver and kidney failure, breathing issues, and other potentially fatal consequences.

Experts recommended tourists to avoid floodwater and stagnant water, care for cuts and wounds, wear waterproof boots and gloves when cleaning rat-infested dwellings, and seek medical assistance as soon as symptoms appear following possible exposure.