Health officials confirm 1 leptospirosis death amid uptick in cases in Chicago

CHICAGO — Just a day after city health officials announced an uptick in cases of rat-borne leptospirosis, officials have confirmed that one person has died as a result of the disease.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Department of Public Health announced that six cases of leptospirosis have been reported in the city so far this year,

higher than the historic median of two per year.

But on Wednesday, health officials confirmed that one of the individuals who contracted Leptospirosis died as a result of the disease.

Officials did not provide details on the identity of the individual or say how they contracted Leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis can affect people, pets and wild animals. The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals and can contaminate water and soil, where they can survive for weeks or months.

Following the initial announcement of the cases, health officials said that in four of the six cases identified, symptoms began between July 16 and Aug. 28.

Additionally, those infected in July and August all reported either direct exposure to animal waste, particularly from rats, or indirect exposure to rodent waste through gardening and yard work.

Officials added that the recent cases have been clustered around the Logan Square and West Town areas.

Individuals who contract leptospirosis may experience symptoms in two phases, officials said. A patient may briefly recover only to develop severe symptoms later.

According to health officials, about 10% of cases progress to severe disease and symptoms of severe disease include renal failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, jaundice, respiratory failure, meningitis, cardiac arrythmias and circulatory collapse.

Between 2015 and 2025, 28 cases of leptospirosis have been recorded in Chicago, officials said.

In the United States, about 100-150 cases of leptospirosis are reported each year.

Just like humans, pets and wild animals are at risk of contracting leptospirosis through contact with contaminated urine or body fluids of an infected animal or through contact with contaminated water or soil.

While treatment for leptospirosis usually helps an animal recover, organ damage caused by leptospirosis can be permanent.