Leptospirosis on the rise
Nadira Gunatilleke
There are over 1500 cases of rat fever (Leptospirosis) and 70 deaths
have been reported from Sri Lanka during the past seven months.
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry warns the public on possible
rat fever outbreak with the ongoing rains and the rainy season
approaching soon, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. He
said that the two Cuban epidemiologists will seek the possibility of
introducing a new bacteria to control the rat population.
A stock of a bacteria had been successfully used in Cuba to control
rat fever. There is a possibility of using the same method in Sri Lanka.
The two Cuban epidemiologists will commence their study on controlling
Dengue in the Western Province after visiting the Kegalle and Kandy
districts.
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry will take a decision on
introducing the BTI bacteria to Sri Lanka based on the recommendations
of their report to be submitted to Healthcare and Nutrition Minister
Nimal Siripala De Silva soon.
According to the latest statistics released by the Epidemiology Unit
of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry, there are a total of 19713
dengue cases reported by the 30th week and the number of dengue deaths
reported during the same period is 223.
The Ministry requests the public to be vigilant about mosquito
breeding sites especially places such as gutters.
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