The number of Leptospirosis (commonly known as rat fever)
cases island wide is on a sharp surge. With the exception of Jaffna, every
district has reported a rise in the number of suspected cases. The total number
of cases reported for this year is 858.
According to the Government Epidemiology Unit (EPU,) 229
cases were reported islandwide in January, rising to 262 in February and up by
105 to 367 by March 21.
At least eight districts have reported more than 50
suspected cases with Ratnapura (84), Anuradhapura (83), Kalutara (77),
Kurunegala (70), Polonnaruwa (65), Colombo (54), Gampaha (50) and Matara (50)
registering the highest number of reported cases. The districts with the lowest
incidence of cases are (2), Kalmunai (4), Puttalam (6) and Badulla
(9). Jaffna had no reported cases, EPU sources said.
Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease endemic in Sri Lanka is
mostly found among those engaged in paddy farming. Chief Epidemiologist Dr.
Paba Palihawadana told the Sunday Observer that farmers had been advised to
keep their fields clean and ensure that accumulated water (following rains) is
flushed to eliminate rat urine prior to cultivation and to ensure their fields
are free of rat burrows.
March 23 2013
Thank you doctor for giving latest statistics on leptospirosis in the island
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