MUMBAI, Aug 11: Indian health officials on Thursday declared an outbreak of water-borne leptospirosis in Mumbai and surrounding areas hit by record monsoon rains as the disease death toll rose to 66.

Leptospirosis had claimed most of the deaths along with gastroenteritis and nearly 2,500 people were being treated in hospitals in the Mumbai area for the two diseases and others.

Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to water contaminated with animal urine and its symptoms include high fever and vomiting. It can be treated with antibiotics.—AFP