Drop in rat fever deaths

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The number of persons who died from Rat Fever (Leptospirosis) up to August 27 is 51 a significant drop from Rat Fever deaths in 2009 (145) and 2008 (207).

"There are 2,442 cases of Rat Fever reported so far that is important is to seek treatment at a Government Hospital immediately," to avoid deaths, Deputy Director General Health Services (Public Health) Dr. Palitha Mahipala said.

Addressing a press briefing held at the Health Education Bureau, Colombo yesterday Dr. Maheepala said that there were 4,980 cases in 2009. The number of rat fever cases reported in 2008 was 7,423. The most affected districts are Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Ratnapura and Kurunegala.

According to Dr. Jagath Amarasekara of the Epidemiology Unit, rat fever records its peek during the paddy cultivating season (Yala and Maha). Farmers represent 81 percent of rat fever victims. Out of them, over 80 percent are between the ages of 20 and 64 exposure in Paddy fields is over 60 percent. Rat fever can be avoided by obtaining the antibiotic Prophylaxis from an MOH before commencing work in paddy fields.

Rat fever spreads through water that is contaminated with the urine of infected rats.

The bacteria enters into humans through abraded skin, eyes and mouth when contacted with contaminated water. Fever, body aches, headache and prostration are the symptoms of the early stages. Then comes redness of eyes, dark colour or blood stained urine and low output of urine which are the symptoms of advanced rat fever. Further progress of the disease will lead to death, Dr. Amarasekara said.

Wearing of gloves and boots while working in paddy fields, proper preparation of boundaries (Niyara) of paddy fields, avoiding contaminated water, and describing the history of paddy field exposure to doctor when seeking treatment for ever are some of the preventive measure, Dr. Amarasekara said.

According to Assistant Agricultural Director M. U. P. Jayasundara, a rat can travel over 300 metres and therefore destroying the places when they breed is essential to control rats. One rat couple gives birth to around 2,000 baby rats in their life time. Wild rats are very brainy and they should be controlled using precise methods to achieve good results.