First Disease-Related Deaths Reported in Flooded Southern Brazil

Health authorities confirm fatalities from leptospirosis as experts predict more deaths due to contaminated water and disrupted services.

Two men succumb to leptospirosis in Rio Grande do Sul following severe flooding.
At least 161 people have died, with 82 still missing, and over 600,000 displaced.
Floodwaters contaminated with sewage raise risks of infectious diseases like hepatitis B.
Damage to over 3,000 health facilities hampers medical response and chronic disease care.
Local health departments are providing disease prophylaxis and guidance to affected residents.