Chicago health officials released a health alert about leptospirosis cases in the city after numerous infections were reported and at least one person died.

The contagious bacterial disease has been found in at least four recent cases, the Chicago Department of Public Health told NBC Chicago, with one of those cases resulting in a death.

"All four of the most recent cases, including the patient who died, had either direct contact with animal urine or droppings (primarily rats) or indirect contact through yard work or gardening," the department said.

CDPH had recently issued a Health Alert Network alert about leptospirosis earlier this week alerting healthcare providers in the city of the recent cases to "let them know to test patients who may be displaying compatible symptoms."

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