News
Jaffna battles rat fever outbreak after 6 deaths reported and more than 50 cases
View(s):- Urgent precautionary measures in operation, say regional health authorities
By S. Rubatheesan
With six deaths reported and 58 more patients identified with leptospirosis disease, commonly known as ‘rat fever’ in Jaffna district alone, regional health authorities have stepped up urgent precautionary measures to control the outbreak.
The disease that spread in the district in the aftermath of the recent floods has claimed the lives of six people from Jaffna and one from Mullaitivu this week, after the patients were admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
Specific communities such as farmers, lagoon fisherfolk, and workers engaged in drainage cleaning are at risk.
So far 58 patients have been identified in four Medical Officer of Health (MoH) areas in Jaffna district–Point Pedro, Karaveddy, Maruthankerni and Chavakacheri.
Based on the samples that were sent to Colombo for further investigations three of them turned out to be positive for the disease, the Sunday Times learns.
“We have taken all necessary preventive and precautionary measures to bring this situation under control, particularly in the regions that were affected due to floods,” Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) Dr. A. Ketheeswaran told the Sunday Times.
Health authorities also stepped up awareness campaigns targetting specific communities such as farmers, lagoon fisherfolk, and workers who are engaged in drainage cleaning. Those workers are being provided with preventive medication and necessary medical kits for their safety. These measures are being launched under the directives of the Provincial Director of Health Services Northern Province Saman Pathirana.
Meanwhile, an expert team attached to the Epidemiology Unit and another delegation from the Ministry of Health also visited the affected regions to monitor the measures taken by regional authorities.
Provincial Director of Health Services Northern Province Dr Saman Pathirana addressing awareness campaign at Point Pedro Base hospital. Pix by Lohathayalan
The delegation from the Health Ministry, led Prabha Abeykoon, registrar attached to the Ministry, visited the affected MoH regions and hospitals where the patients are receiving treatment.
Medicines and preventive kits that were brought from Colombo were also distributed to affected MoH regions, a communique from the RDHS office said.
People identified as vulnerable groups have been asked to contact the nearest Public Health Inspector (PHI) or MOH office if they notice any symptoms of the disease along with fever.
The main symptoms of rat fever are abrupt onset of high fever, mild flu, chills, conjunctive suffusion, muscle tenderness (notable in calf and lumber areas), intense headache, onset of jaundice and decrease in passing urine, according to the Epidemiology Unit.
In a circular titled, “Streamlining the National Guideline on Management of Leptospirosis” the Ministry of Health has noted earlier this year that there has been a gradual increase in suspected deaths over the past few years.
Stressing that the disease is treatable but potentially fatal zoonotic infectious disease, the Ministry stressed the need for early detection and effective treatment.
Ahead of the start of the Maha paddy cultivation season, the Ministry had published an interim guideline on the prevention and control of the disease on October 4 as an early measure to mitigate health risks and prevent outbreaks.
The guidelines noted that early diagnosis and initiation of treatment on clinical suspicion will reduce complications and deaths due to leptospirosis.
Addressing a news briefing, Health Ministry secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe stressed that all necessary measures are being taken to treat those affected in Jaffna after it was confirmed that the recent deaths were due to Leptospirosis.
The country also witnessed a sharp increase in the number of infected persons from 9000 last year to over 10,000 cases so far, according to a health expert.
Community medicine expert Kumudu Weerakoon addressing a news briefing this week that the rise in the number of rat fever cases is due to due to the inter-monsoonal rains and paddy farming activities across the island.
Last year, the country recorded over 9,000 cases of rat fever along with nearly 200 deaths.
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