Leptospirosis to be eliminated

Dulshani GUNAWARDENA

Minister of Health and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva announced yesterday that the Ministry of Health has decided to implement the use of the Cuban manufactured 'Bio Rat' bacterial product to eliminate leptospirosis, referred vernacularly as 'mee una' or 'rat fever'. There have been 4210 cases of Leptospirosis reported since January, resulting in 110 deaths.

However, the approval of the Registrar of Pesticides has to be gained through the Ministry of Agriculture as the product could lead to adverse effects on the eco-system. A special committee, comprising of university professors, officials from the Environment Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, had been appointed to study the environmental issues caused by the use of this bacteria. According to their recommendations, the Ministry of Health will carry out a trial study of this product to verify that no adverse reactions will be caused to animals or human beings.

The Ministry of Agriculture will issue approval following the successful trial. This product, used in many countries such as the USA and Nicaragua, was used post tsunami in Koggalla, resulting in 95% successful elimination of the rat population.