Brasília - With flooding now occurring in 15 states, the Ministry of Health has issued a warning about the danger of leptospirosis - a disease carried in rat urine that mixes with water in floods and can infect humans.

The Health Institute (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde) (SVS), has issued precautions that people in flooded areas should take: avoid contact with the water or mud (especially children); when cleaning up use gloves and boots (or even plastic bags) to avoid contact; and finally, wash all areas that were flooded.

Minister of Health, Humberto Costa, says the government is prepared to assist the needy. Hospital costs for treating those harmed by the flooding will be reimbursed by the government, he declared, adding that local authorities should send lists of their needs, for example, regarding damaged equipment, to Brasilia. (AB)