Leptospirosis Cases During the 2024 Catastrophic Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a well-known disease that frequently occurs after floods. At the beginning of May 2024, a catastrophic flood occurred in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, affecting two million people and leading to a state of calamity. Given the State's high pre-flood leptospirosis rates, the disease became a major concern for decision-makers. This study aimed to estimate the rise in leptospirosis cases after the flood, assess the changes in case patterns before and after the disaster, and document the response of the state health surveillance center to the outbreak. We estimated the increase during the flood period (May to July 2024) by comparing it with the same period in the previous year as baseline. During the first three months of the catastrophic event, 6273 suspected cases of leptospirosis were reported to the surveillance system, and 958 cases were confirmed. The number of confirmed cases during the flood was 10.3-fold higher than the baseline. Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient was 0.77 (<i>p</i>-value < 0.0001) for the association of Health Regions regarding the rank in incidence rates of confirmed cases in the flood period and the proportion of the population with households flooded. Thirty deaths (three females) were confirmed, a 6.0-fold rise compared with 2023. The state responders carried out many activities, including epidemiological surveillance and the dissemination of information. Among the challenges faced was the lack of evidence in the literature supporting recommendations for antibiotic chemoprophylaxis for rescue personnel. Another difficulty concerned performing gold-standard laboratory diagnostic tests to confirm the enormous number of suspected cases reported during this catastrophe. Despite implementing many actions to mitigate its impact, leptospirosis remained a major challenge during the event. These findings may provide valuable insights for decision-makers facing similar situations in massive climate disasters.