ALAPPUZHA: At a time when rising temperature is taking its toll, rat fever (Weil’s disease or leptospirosis) is spreading in water-logged areas in the district. In April, 15 cases of illness and one death were reported here, up from 8 the previous month.
Dr Vasanthadas, the district medical officer, said the cases were on the rise throughout the state. In Alappuzha, the number of infected cases was just one in January. The bacteria-infected people are mainly from the water-logged areas. The department has taken precautionary measures providing tablets to NREGA workers and other vulnerable people.
"People should avoid fishing in the small ponds and lagoons with the possible presence of high-density rat urine," she said. The bacterial disease is transmitted mostly through rodent. Most of the cases were reported among labourers engaged in canal de-silting or paddy field preparation under NREGA.
On Monday, K. Jayan, 44, of Nikarthil, near Cherthala died of suspected rat fever. “We are considering all of them seriously and administering crystalline penicillin injections. Steps are being taken to prevent its spread. At this point, we advise people against exposing their wounds to contaminated water," said Sajith, an official at the DMO.
The outbreak of preseasonal contagious disease is not a new phenomenon. The district had reported many such cases in the past. The worst attack took place In 2008 when over 14 died of leptospirosis. While health authorities insist that there is nothing to worry yet, they have set precautionary measures in motion. The DMO said the public had been asked to observe at least one dry day a week, making sure that there were no avenues for mosquitoes to breed.
