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Rise in rat fever after heavy rain
A rise in rat fever cases countrywide has prompted the Health Ministry to put its regional directors on alert to take measures to bring the situation under control.
Declaring the crisis as a priority health issue, the ministry has directed regional directors of health services to conduct awareness programmes and take preventive measures, in addition to providing medical help.
The number of deaths by leptospirosis or rat fever deaths rose to 40 this year – twice the number last year.
The Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit Director Paba Palliyawardena said the unusually heavy rains during the past few months was the main cause for the high incidence of the disease.
According to ministry statistics, the Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts have reported the highest number of cases. Cases were reported even in the districts which are not known for rat-fever.
Dr. Palliyawardena said the ministry told regional directors to ensure the stock of the drug doxycycline was available in hospitals to treat rat-fever patients.
Together with this, the ministry is also conducting awareness programmes countrywide.
The disease is found to be common among farmers and those who work in a wet environment. Food, water or soil contaminated with animal urine causes the disease.
The incubation period is said to be five to 14 days and patients generally have symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, and jaundice.
Dr. Palliyawardena said that immediate medical help should be sought and any delay in treatment could result in renal or heart failure, hemorrhage and even in death.