On August 13th， media reports surfaced detailing a distressing incident involving a 13-year-old boy. After scraping his skin while cycling， he subsequently went to play in outdoor water the following day. Upon returning， he developed a high fever and reported experiencing hallucinations of small figures dancing. He was later diagnosed with leptospirosis.
Doctors explained that leptospires， the bacteria responsible for the disease， are often found in contaminated water bodies. They can enter the body through unhealed wounds. Fortunately， due to prompt medical intervention， the boy’s condition improved and he is now out of danger.
Leptospirosis， often referred to as “leptospirosis，” is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with pathogenic spirochetes of the genus *Leptospira*. A wide variety of animals can act as hosts， and the disease is widespread. Humans primarily become infected through contact with carrier animals or by exposure to water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
The incubation period for leptospirosis typically ranges from 7 to 14 days， although it can be as short as 2-3 days or as long as 30 days. Common symptoms include fever， headache， muscle aches， general fatigue， tenderness in the calf muscles， swollen superficial lymph nodes， and conjunctival congestion. Mild cases may resemble influenza， while severe cases can manifest with pulmonary hemorrhage， jaundice， hypotension， shock， and renal failure. The boy’s reported hallucination of “little people dancing” is a less common but documented neurological symptom that can occur in severe leptospirosis， potentially indicating inflammation or damage to the central nervous system.
It is crucial to emphasize preventative measures to avoid leptospirosis. Individuals， especially young people and children， should be prohibited from swimming， wading， or fishing in potentially contaminated water bodies. Workers and farmers who frequently come into contact with such water are advised to wear hip waders and rubber gloves to minimize exposure. Furthermore， preventing skin abrasions and reducing opportunities for infection are paramount. This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with recreational activities in natural water sources， particularly after minor skin injuries. Public awareness campaigns highlighting these risks and promoting safe practices are essential for community health.
