News
Rat fever danger increases in flooded provinces
Make sure to wear gloves and slippers or boots when gardening, farming, and during cultivation, health officials advise, as they warn of an increase in leptospirosis (rat fever) cases.
Floods, mudslides, soggy marshy areas, paddy lands, muddy gardens, and vegetable and green leaf cultivations are breeding grounds for this bacterial infection, which enters waterways through the urine of rodents, mainly rats, and then affects humans.
“A cut or wound in the body can attract bacteria; therefore, people in flood-affected areas should be extremely cautious. It is important to inform your physician if you suffer from high fever and were exposed to contaminated water,” said Dr. Thushani Dabrera of the Epidemiology Unit.
This year (up to September 30), 7,259 cases of leptospirosis have been reported to the unit. However, authorities are yet to get reports from hospitals across the country to determine the October cases. About 125–140 people die annually from rat fever, she said, adding that most deaths were due to late hospitalisation.
Rainy weather that continued for over a month has resulted in flood waters in the southern province. Among other diseases, health authorities are also on alert for a possible leptospirosis outbreak.
Farmers are most at risk of contrating leptospirosis (file pic)
Southern Province Health Director Dr. Chandana Sitritunga said people should immediately inform the area MOH if they suffer from high fever and have been exposed to flood waters.
He said those exposed are given the antibiotic doxycycline weekly as a preventive measure.
Dr. Janith Warnasekare, senior lecturer at Rajarata University’s Department of Community Medicine, said more needs to be done to create awareness among farmers to wear protective gear.
“Once contracted, leptospirosis can be similar to dengue hemorrhagic fever. Prevention by taking weekly antibiotic prophylaxis and wearing PPE is highly recommended,” he said.
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