Dengue, rat fever, rabies on the rise

Nadira Gunatilleke

Dengue, rat fever (Leptospirosis) and rabies are on the rise in Sri Lanka, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

“During the last five months, over 110 persons have died of dengue while the number of persons who have died from rat fever during the same period is 51. Another 55 persons died from rabies, the spokesman said. He said the Ministry has taken steps to control dengue with the assistance of other line Ministries and civil defence committees. Over 8,000 persons have been affected with dengue fever so far.

The majority of rat fever deaths have been reported from Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Kandy districts.

The majority (75 percent) of victims were working in paddy fields, mines and similar environments. Persons working in those environments should take two Doxycychine tablets a day before starting work.

The tablets gives around 90 percent protection for one week, the spokesman said.

Around 2,000 dog bites are reported from Sri Lanka per day. Apart from dogs, rabies can be spread through cats, squirrels, monkeys, rats and bats.

“Any warm-blooded animal may become infected with the rabies virus. The Ministry has made arrangements to control rabies by implementing sterilizing and vaccination programs with the assistance of NGOs and Provincial authorities,” he said.