ALAPPUZHA: At a time when the recurring fever situation continues to take a toll in the state, water-logged areas in the district are under rat fever threat. The bacterial disease is transmitted mostly through rodent, and most of the cases come from canal de-silting or paddy workers. The district administration has now issued an alert against leptospirosis. “Incidence of waterborne diseases especially leptospirosis has, of late, been noticed throughout the year in places like water logged Kuttanad,” said Dr R.V. Ramlal, the superintendent of Government (TD) Medical College.
Many are treated at the MCH, though taluk hospitals have improved facilities. Of the total patients admitted with waterborne diseases, more than 70 percent were from Champakulam, Nedumudy, Monkombu, Kainakary, and Pallathuruthy. “For instance, during the last couple of months, more than 30 patients were admitted with suspected leptospirosis, and the trend shows that there could be more. However, fever cases have come down substantially. We are receiving only 30-40 cases these days in place of over hundred per day earlier in the week,” said Dr Ramlal.
"Those who feel unwell should immediately go to a nearby government hospital where the patients will be treated with free antibiotics to prevent leptospirosis." On June 16, a retired government servant K. P. Sugathan had died of suspected leptospirosis. “This can easily be prevented with antibiotics. Patients should be cautious about hygiene in their surrounding," said Dr B. Padmakumar, head of medicine at the Government Medical College, Kollam.
"The main reason for such serious waterborne diseases is contamination of water in the rivers and canals. People who make a living from water bodies should ensure that they had no gash in their body. The leptospirosis bacteria often enter the body through wounds." This month so far, 245 new suspected cases were reported across the State, out of which 149 cases were confirmed. Three people died of leptospirosis. Dr Vasantha Das, the district medical officer, said they had taken precautionary measures providing tablets to workers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and others. "People should not fish in the small ponds and lagoons as there will be a possibility of high-density rat urine," she said.
