Ever since Hurricane Maria there has been an increasing amount of leptospirosis cases in Puerto Rico. According to the World Health organization, leptospirosis is a disease that can be contracted from drinking contaminated water or from the infection of an open wound. Some of the symptoms include fever, headaches, red eyes, and rashes, but some people may not even display any symptoms.

Unfortunately, 1 out of every 10 people who has leptospirosis will develop severe illnesses such as meningitis, kidney and liver damage, and bleeding in the lungs. Most of these medical issues lead to death.

Dr. Carmen Deseda, the state epidemiologist for Puerto Rico, tells CNN that there are a total of 76 confirmed and suspected cases of leptospirosis. Usually, Puerto Rico only has 63 to 95 case of leptospirosis per year. They reached a total of 76 cases in this month alone. This is an inexplicably high amount of leptospirosis cases, considering that the most they typically have per year are 95 cases. As of October 24th there are 2 deaths from this deadly disease due to the catastrophe brought by Hurricane Maria.

CNN states that 1 million people are still without clean drinking water, which is about 1 month after Hurricane Maria hit.

The amount of leptospirosis cases are still increasing in Puerto Rico.