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>> This apartment building in New York City's Bronx borough, like many throughout the city, has a rat problem. With the city's Health Department this week issuing residents at this address with a warning. Three people inside of a one block radius falling sick, one fatally, from a rare bacterial infection linked to rats.
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The leptospirosis bacteria can spread to humans through contact with rat urine and feces. The three victims suffered kidney and liver failure, one dying as a result of the infection. The Health Department says there are typically between one and three cases of leptospirosis in New York City every year.
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Most result in fever, headache and chills. But older patients or those with compromised immune systems can suffer more serious symptoms.