Rat fever on the rise

Chamikara Weerasinghe

The number of cases of the waterborne disease Leptospirosis, known as "Mee Una" or Rat Fever in common parlance, has increased in Sri Lanka.

Forty one persons have died due to the disease up to April this year, sources at Health Ministry's Epidemiology Department said. The most number of patients detected as suffering from Leptospirosis have been found from the Matara District. Affected persons were also detected from Gampaha and Kegalle districts.

Provincial Director, Health Services Department of Matara District, Dr. Indika Ranasinghe said they have 250 leptospirosis cases from the Matara District. "The outbreak of Leptospirosis is alarming in the district, and is at serious proportions with the number of patients increasing," Dr. Ranasinghe said.

The exposure to the disease occurs due to contact with the water or mud contaminated by the urine of rats and other animals, he said. The incidence is highest among the paddy farmers, he said.

"Three farmers affected with the disease died at the Matara General Hospital no sooner than they came for treatment as they have not taken medicine at the early occurrence of its symptoms," he said.

Asked if the Provincial Authorities had taken any action to prevent the disease from spreading, Dr. Ranasinghe said they have advised the public not to drink stagnant water in rivers and lakes in a number of awareness programmes.

"We have also advised them to take clinical treatment at the earliest occurrence of any fever symptoms," he said.

Leptospirosis characteristically occurs during rainy weather or flooding associated with wet weather. Between 1000 to 2000 patients are admitted to hospitals to take medication for rat fever on a yearly basis.