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Key events and updates
Bhutan: Leptospirosis
Situation overview as of 1 July 2025
• On 1 July 2025, Ministry of Health of Bhutan reported a cluster of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) among people who participated in the De-suup (“Guardian of Peace” volunteers who conduct community services and disaster management) training conducted in Dewathang, Samdrup Jongkhar District, Samdrup Jongkhar District. The disease has now been confirmed as leptospirosis.
• Out of 230 trainees, 143 exhibited symptoms and have been treated per clinical protocols. Of these, three passed away.
• All De-suup trainees are being monitored at a designated facility in Thimphu.
• Diagnosis is based on laboratory results and epidemiological evidence; samples have been sent for reconfirmation to higher centers outside Bhutan.
• Laboratory confirmation was done through Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) at the Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC), in collaboration with regional hospitals.
• The Ministry of Health (MoH) acted early based on clinical signs and prior sporadic cases, guiding prompt case management and diagnostic testing.
Public health response
• As part of the public health response, the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) was activated to coordinate field investigation and outbreak containment.
• Those with mild to moderate symptoms were treated with appropriate antibiotics and isolated. Severely ill patients are managed at intensive care units and isolation wards.
• The surveillance team has contacted all affected individuals and their families to ensure comprehensive followup and care.
• Active case detection and surveillance efforts are ongoing.
• Infection prevention and control measures have been reinforced nationwide.
• All health facilities across Bhutan have been alerted to strengthen early detection and response.
• Risk communication and community engagement activities are ongoing. The public, particularly in southern regions, is advised to avoid contact with floodwaters, maintain good hygiene, and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.