A final-year history student in Patna has been put on ventilator support after being diagnosed with leptospirosis more than a fortnight ago.

Leptospirosis, a rare disease most commonly caused by rodents - contamination of water or food by infected urine of rodents, had last been detected in Patna in 2015. Four cases was reported the year before that.

Chanchala Kumari, history student in Magadh Mahila College, complained of high fever, muscle pain and vomiting, and was diagnosed with dengue at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital on August 20. Admitted to Paras HMRI Hospital, the 21-year-old was diagnosed with leptospirosis two days later.

Doctors treating her said she was critical and put on ventilator support.

'She is suffering from multi-organ failure. She is admitted in the intensive care unit of the hospital. Several of her organs, including lungs, liver, brain and kidney, are extremely affected. We are trying to stabilise her. Her condition has improved a little since Thursday but she is not yet out of danger,' said Dr V.K. Thakur.

Chanchala's father Shiv Shankar Pandey, assistant section officer in Patna High Court, said so far the family has spent around 12 lakh and is in dire need of financial support.

'Even the doctors here understand that we cannot continue her treatment at Paras HMRI. They have suggested us to take her to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences or Patna Medical College and Hospital. Students in Chanchala's college have so far helped us with Rs 35,000. They have been a great support,' said Pandey.

Experts said that, leptospirosis spreads by contamination of water or food by the infected urine of rodents.

Epidemiologist at State Health Society, Bihar, Ragini Mishra said: 'Exposure through water contaminated by the urine of infected animals is the most common route of infection (in leptospirosis). The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin and the mucosa of the nose, mouth and eyes. The bacteria that cause the disease, once out in open through animal urine, can survive in the soil for around 26 days and in water for 16 days.'

She said the disease is usually mistaken with some thing else because it has normal flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headache and muscle pain.

The last time leptospirosis case was detected in Patna was in 2015, she added. 'Bihar has not reported many leptospirosis cases like Maharashtra and other states. Last time, only one case was detected and four in 2014,' she said. 'Among the various symptoms are high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, abdominal pain.'