A man in his forties succumbed to leptospirosis on Tuesday at Bandra’s Bhabha Hospital in Mumbai. It was the first death due to leptospirosis this monsoon.

A resident of Wadala, the deceased had been reeling through mild fever for the past ten days. Unaware of leptospirosis, he initially consulted private physicians but when his condition worsened he was shifted to the Bhabha Hospital.

"He tested positive for leptospirosis last Saturday," said the BMC epidemiologist.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disorder spread to humans through rat and cattle urine, usually if the victim has a history of wading through water.

The infection is transferred through open wounds in the skin, cuts and abrasions, especially in the foot. Past year, Mumbai had registered highest number of leptospirosis cases as compared to previous years